Celebrating the life and times of a music hall legend

It will include tribute books, some of Vesta’s original stage costumes, information and ephemera about music hall, the star herself and Worcester.

Vesta Tilley was born in Commandery Row, Worcester, in 1864, the second of 13 children. In her autobiography, she calls Worcester “the poor, proud and pretty city”.

With her father’s encouragement, Vesta took to the stage at four years old as ‘The Great Little Tilley’ .

Later she became famous across the world for her performances as a male impersonater which included caricatures such as Algy the Piccadilly Johnny with the little glass eye and Burlington Bertie.

She became one of the highest paid musical hall artistes of her time.

During the First World War she dressed in immaculate military uniforms to sing tributes to the troops. Her songs were used in recruitment drives and performances led to an increase in men enlisting, sometimes at the actual performance.

She retired from the stage in 1920 as Lady de Frece, after her husband, theatrical entrepreneur and music hall owner Walter de Frece was knighted.

On retiring, she was given ‘The People’s Tribute’ containing two million signatures from her adoring fans including fellow celebrities such as Harry Houdini.

Worcestershire County Council recently acquired a wonderful collection of Vesta Tilley items, including these tribute books, Vesta’s own scrap books and stage costumes. She died a wealthy woman in 1952.

The exhibition, to be held at Worcester Museum and Art Gallery in Foregate Street until February 28 next year, is a partnership between Worcester City Museums and Worcestershire Record Office and Worcestershire County Museum.

A programme of events will accompany it, including a talk on Worcester’s Lost Theatre. Visitors are invited to join Suz Winspear at 1.30pm for a talk about the story of the Theatre Royal.

There will also be a day of theatre workshops with Pretty Good Girl Theatre Company.

To find out more contact the gallery on 01905 25371.