SPEAKER_02: This bonus episode is brought to you by NURTEC ODT Remedipant 75 mg orally disintegrating tablets.
SPEAKER_03: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. It's a simple truth. No matter who you are, mental health challenges can affect you. And how you manage them can make all the difference. That's why everyone should have access to mental health support that meets them where they are and helps them get through. BetterHelp provides online therapy on your schedule. It's flexible, simple to use, and more affordable than in-person therapy. Connect with a licensed therapist selected just for you. Learn more at BetterHelp.com. That's BetterHELP.com. Hello, from Wonder Media Network, I'm Jenny Kaplan, and this is Womanica.
SPEAKER_02: This month we're talking about comediennees, women throughout history who've made us laugh. They transgressed societal norms through comedy and often spoke out against injustice using their sharp wit. Today we're talking about one of the most famous male impersonators of all time. For more than 50 years, she kept audiences engaged and amused. Let's talk about Vesta Tilly. Vesta Tilly was born Matilda Alice Powles on May 13, 1864, in Worcester, England. She was one of 13 children born to Henry and Matilda Powles. Henry was a musician and entertainer known around town for his act with his dog. His experience in the business eventually led to a job running the Theatre Royal in Gloucester. Vesta expressed an interest in performing at an early age, so much so that her father put her on the stage at the Theatre Royal when she was just three years old. Little Vesta was a natural. She sang and danced and immediately charmed the crowd. Word got out about her talent and soon people came to the theatre specifically to see her. It wasn't long before she was being asked to perform in cities around England. She became known as the Great Little Tilly. Vesta could feel that she hadn't quite found her sweet spot yet. Something was holding her back. She decided to trade in her dresses and skirts for her father's coat and hat and pretend to be a boy. One night her father walked in while she was experimenting with his clothing. He must have seen something in it. He decided to buy Vesta her own set of men's clothing. At five years old, Vesta performed as a male impersonator for the first time at Day's concert hall. It was a risky decision for her to perform as a boy during the conservative Victorian era. But people loved it. Physically, Vesta was small and slender, which helped her look more believable in her impersonations. She put her long hair under a wig and wore well-tailored men's clothing. And Vesta didn't just look like a man, she acted like one too. She spent time watching and studying men so that she could imitate their most stereotypical behaviors and poke fun at them. She often played the principal boy, a leading male role usually played by a woman. Vesta depicted various popular characters such as policemen, soldiers, judges, and sailors. By the time she was 10 years old, Vesta was performing her act on a tour around London. This skyrocketed her popularity and publicity. It was during this time that she adopted the stage name Vesta Tilly. During this era, the music hall scene had gained a vulgar reputation. But Vesta didn't buy into it. She came in knowing exactly what she was going to do. Her show was highly scripted and didn't involve much crowd work. Audiences loved how she portrayed the sociopolitical environment of the time, especially when it came to traditional gender roles.
SPEAKER_06: I'm following in father's footsteps, following the dear old dad. He's just in front with a nice big gal, who I thought I'd have once as well. I don't know where he's going. When he gets there, I'll be glad. I'm following in father's footsteps yet. I'm following the dear old dad.
SPEAKER_02: Her performance had something for everyone. Working class men were amused by her satirical portrayal of the upper class. And women enjoyed how Vesta portrayed a more poised and beautiful type of man. Her rise to fame coincided with a period of women's empowerment. Women were fighting for their rights and defying gender norms that Victorian society had placed on them. Vesta not only benefited from this. She also took part in it through her work. Being able to embody these different male personas unlocked a sense of freedom that she didn't feel she could achieve in female roles. Over the course of her career, she went on six tours in the United States that were all very successful and well compensated. She was one of the highest paid performers in the British music hall circuit during her time. And the money didn't just come from performing. She also had licensing deals. Fans could buy Vesta Tilly cigars and socks. Well into her career, Vesta married Walter De Fries on August 16, 1890. The duo made a good match. She was a theater performer and he was a theater manager. He owned multiple theaters around England where Vesta was frequently the headlining act. On July 1, 1912, Vesta performed in front of King George V and Queen Mary at the Palace Theater in London's famous theater district, the West End. Although cross-dressing was a common form of entertainment by that point, Queen Mary was apparently not a fan. While Vesta was on stage, Mary buried her hands in her program to avoid seeing a woman dressed so immodestly. Apart from that one reaction, the show was extremely well received. When World War I began, theaters became a commonplace for war propaganda. Vesta and her husband openly supported the British Army. They and others from the entertainment industry came together to put on fundraising events to raise money for the war effort. Vesta participated in the best way she knew how, performing. She traveled around hospitals and feeders performing cheerful patriotic songs, dressed as a soldier. She not only boosted morale, but she convinced many young men to join the Army. It's said that while performing in Hackney, London, she enlisted a whole battalion. This kind of work gave her the nickname Britain's Best Recruiting Sergeant. Walter also got a new title when the war ended. He was knighted and became a member of Parliament. Vesta was now Lady De Vries. Over the years, Walter had been urging her to retire. But it wasn't until this new public and political role that Vesta decided it was time for one last hurrah. In August of 1919, she began her farewell tour. She traveled to the major cities and towns across England and gave her adoring fans a final look at her hilariously witty depiction of men in society. Each week, she donated her paycheck to a local children's hospital or charity. The tour, and her career, culminated in her final act at the Coliseum Theatre in London in May of 1920. After retiring, Vesta played the role of a politician's wife. In 1931, Walter left Parliament and the couple moved to Monaco to enjoy their retirement together. Vesta Tilly died on September 16, 1952, in London. All month, we're talking about comediennees. For more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram, at Womanica Podcast. Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator. Talk to you tomorrow.
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