Saturday, May 19, 2012

At the Music Hall: The Seaside Smile





Miss Vesta Tilley (1864-1952) made her mark on the boards of London’s finest music halls.  Celebrated for her singing voice and beauty, Miss Tilley also remains considered  the greatest of the “male impersonators” on the music hall stage.  

Cross dressing has long been a comedic staple of British theatre with roots in pantomime.  It remains a popular comic device to this day, and Tilley was one of the pioneers in the theme of women dressing as men.

Tilley made her last appearance at the London Coliseum in May 1920.  Enjoy this clip of Miss Tilley singing one of her hits--"The Seaside Smile."



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