The film was created from Chaplin's stage work from a play called Mumming Birds (a.k.a.

A Night at an English Music Hall in the United States) with the Karno Company from London.

Edna Purviance played a minor role as a lady in the audience.

Mr. Pest tries several theatre seats before winding up in front in a fight with the conductor and, eventually, the entire cast of an evening variety show.

The difference between "Mr. Pest" and "Mr. Rowdy" appears to be that one is pleasantly drunk and the other is obnoxious and sober.