Vesta Tilley Was Greatest Male Impersonator on British Stage [audio 10min]

Vesta Tilley was one of Britain's most famous and highly paid Music Hall Artistes and best known male impersonators of her generation. Born in 1864, she first wore men's clothes on stage at the age of five, as she felt she could "express herself better if...dressed as a boy". She took an hour to get ready and would pad out her figure, plait her hair under a wig, wear men's underclothes and even take a full weight kit-bag onto stage when dressed as a soldier. She played the part of the principal boy from the age of thirteen in pantomimes such as Robinson Crusoe, Dick Whittington, Beauty and the Beast, and Sinbad the Sailor. Her main aim, however, was to create convincing male characters and sing songs that poked fun at men; from the well-to-do man about town to judges, clergymen and soldiers. She was incredibly popular with women, who saw her as a symbol of independence on her reputed salary of £500 a week. Biographer and author Sara Maitland and Jackie Bratton, Professor of Theatre and Cultural History at Royal Holloway, join presenter Martha Kearney to talk about Vesta Tilley's life and her male impersonations.