Vesta Tilley, real name Matilda Alice Powles, born to a theatrical family in Worcester (England), made her music hall debut in 1868. A year later she first appeared in male attire billed as “The Great Little Tilley” and quickly adopted gender impersonation in a rapid climb to stardom in music hall and Christmas pantomime. When young she was billed as “the dandiest fellah turned sixteen”; once she had achieved major stardom she was promoted as “The London Idol.” In 1912 she became the first male impersonator to appear before royalty. She made several successful tours of the major American vaudeville circuits.

By several accounts her singing voice was not remarkable or convincing as a man. One critic said that “she could walk her songs successfully”. What audiences adored was the rollicking and mocking edge she brought to her character studies of well dressed young swells, policemen, soldiers and sailors. Her songs poking fun of the foppish manners of the rich delighted working class audiences.

Notwithstanding her vocation, Tilley was particularly concerned about maintaining an image of great personal and professional propriety. In her autobiography she wrote, "the greater portion of my audience are ladies who write and congratulate me on my efforts, and appreciate the fact that I rigidly exclude anything that might be considered vulgar by the most fastidious of my audience.”  During World War I she visited hospitals, helped in recruitment drives and sold war bonds.

Her husband, theatre manager Walter de Frece, was knighted for war services  in 1919 and  soon elected a Conservative MP. The new Lady de Frece retired from the stage after 30 years of stardom. At her famous 1920 farewell performance at London’s Coliseum, she was given 17 curtain calls and a testimonial signed by over a million fans.

Tilley is associated with many popular songs including “After the Ball”, “Algy”, “Following in Father’s Footsteps”, “Burlington Bertie”, and  “Jolly Good Luck to the Girl Who Loves a Soldier”.