Vesta Tilley - final performance with Dame Ellen Terry

Vesta Tilley (1864-1952), born Matilda Alice Powles, later Lady de Frece, music hall actress whose speciality was male impersonations. During the First World War, she earned the nickname, Britain's best recruiting sergeant, with a number of patriotic war songs she performed at various shows and revues. Pictured here at the last performance of her farewell tour in 1920 on a stage covered with bouquets. She is with Dame Ellen Terry who presented her with a plume of palms along with several volumes - The People's Tribute to Vesta Tilley - containing nearly two million signatures collected at different theatres where she had performed

Drag Entertainers Frece Impersonation Impersonations Impersonator Impersonators Retirement Thanks Tilley Tribute Vesta

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