Vesta Tilley - Worcester's principal Principal Boy

Angela Lanyon

Her real name was Matilda Powles and she was born in Worcester on May 13th 1864. She became the foremost male impressionist of her day and when she retired Ellen Terry presented her with a tribute signed by over a million fans. In just twenty years, from her first appearance in Gloucester at her Father's farewell benefit in a Red Riding Hood cape, she became the highest earning woman in Britain.

Her first performance in men's clothing was in Daly's Concert Hall in Birmingham, where she was billed as `The Great Little Tilley.' Music halls were rowdy places and to subdue an audience as much involved in eating and drinking as watching the performance you had to have a strong personality. She appeared in Worcester at the Alhambra in Lowesmoor.woalhambra.jpg - 26619 Bytes So successful was it that she decided concentrate on male impersonation and never looked back.

Her father wrote some of her songs and a pointer to her eventual success was `The Pet of Rotten Row.' Her stage name Vesta was chosen because she was a `bright spark' and in 1882 she was cast as Captain Tralala in Sinbad at Drury Lane.

In 1888 she met William de Frece, and they were married in August 1890. William became a theatrical entrepreneur, built a chain of music halls, all called The Hippodrome and they remained happily together until he died forty years later. Her appearance at the Royal Command Performance in 1912 was not a total success as the royal ladies buried their faces in their programmes to avoid the sight of female legs.

William's administrative abilities had been spotted and he began speaking on matters concerning the British Empire. Sensing the national mood, Vesta started including patriotic songs in her act and when the war came she urged young men to join up. Her final tour coincided with her husband's parliamentary election campaign. He was elected and she gave her last performance in June 1920. From that moment she became Lady de Frece, accompanying her husband to operas, races and state balls.

In 1935 they retired to Monte Carlo where he died. Covent Garden flower sellers sent her violets each birthday until she died at 88. Vesta Tilley Court, near her Worcester Birthplace

Copyright © Angela Lanyon 2000

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