Review: Wearing The Trousers: The True Story of Vesta Tilley

This wonderfully fun show is currently running at the Alma Tavern Theatre

If Vesta Tilley is a new name to you, you won’t be the only person. She’s often referred to as one of the most successful music hall stars you’ve probably never heard of. She was an incredible trailblazing woman whose career ran from 1869 until 1920. At this time, Vesta was one of the highest earning women in England and had six hit tours in the United States.

When she finished her year-long farewell tour at the Coliseum Theatre in London in 1920, the applause went on for 45 minutes. Proceeds from her farewell shows went to local children’s hospitals. Her fans included Charlie Chaplin, Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Vesta Tilley’s career success was down to her performance as that of a male impersonator. On stage, she challenged the rigidity of gender at the time.

Her life story is captured by Dyanne White in her play Wearing The Trousers: The True Story of Vesta Tilley. It’s performed by Seizing the Day Theatre Company. The Bristol-based company stages shows with a cast usually in their mid to late seventies.

Wearing the Trousers is told in a series of flashbacks. We meet Vesta a year after her beloved husband has died. She takes her maid Allegra – played by Kay Francksen – back through her career. At significant points, we meet the people she encounted throughout her life. To accompany this is a carefully constructed scrapbook of memories. The attention to detail on the pages makes it a rich stage prop.

Dyanne White’s play is extremely well written. We get a strong sense of who Vesta was. Who the people in her life were as well as the depth and successes of her impressive career. The many facts we learn as the show progresses is carefully blended into the narrative.

Dyanne White plays Vesta, giving a commanding performance.

Kay Francksen is her timid Monaco maid who ultimately rouses Vesta during ailing health into a rendition of Burlington Bertie. The theatre company acknowledges that although Vesta Tilley was the first performer to make the song famous, the original lyrics are lost so they have gone with Ella Shield’s 1915 version.

Absolutely no one cared for the slight detail change when the show finished with a cheering Burlington Bertie sing-along involving the whole audience.

And with big musical hall energy and lots of humour, Chris Harris-Beechy and Marie Clifford make up the rest of the characters.

When a play is sailing along so brilliantly on stage, it’s easy to forget about the director who brings the story together. Wearing the Trousers is directed by Bristol’s Craig Edwards. His deft touch brought us a story with a lot of heart. Each flashback felt alive and tangible whilst also growing and fading from Vesta’s memory. Come the end when we have a life moving towards it final season Craig brings the energy back with one last cheering hurrah.

Wearing the Trousers: the True Story of Vesta Tilley is a real gem of a show. Historically, it shows how theatre has always led the way in challenging social norms around gender identity. It revives the history of strong, iconic woman whose achievements have been lost to time. And the audience gets a thoroughly enjoyable treat with Seizing The Day’s latest show.

Wearing the Trousers: the True Story of Vesta Tilley will be at the Alma Tavern Theatre until Tuesday 24 March 2026

For more information to to book, visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/almatheatrecompany/2018340

Cast and Creatives
Vesta Tilley: Dyanne White
Allegra: Kay Francksen
Chairman, Harry Ball, Walter de Frece, Soldier, Commander, Policeman, Stan, Dan Leno: Chris Harris-Beechy
Alys, Queen Mary, Customs Officer, Ethel, Voter, Nurse, Ellen Terry: Marie Clifford

Director: Craig Edwards
Musical Director: Alan Teece
Co-Producer and Sound Tech: Tim Adams
Costume Designer: Pam Tait

Home: https://backstagebristol.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backstagebristol/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@chopsybristoltt
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/backstagebristol/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backstagebristol
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chopsybaby