The Tiller Girls

I did not realise just how far back the history of the Tiller Girls goes but in 1854 in Blackpool, John Tiller was born. Dancing in clogs as a young boy he later started a theatre school in Manchester and by 1895 was managing several troupes of dancers.

Each troupe of girls was grouped according to height performing high kicks and splits. Descriptive names such as Fairy Troup, Tiller’s Troubadours. The Forget-me-nots, Tiller’s Mascots and the Rainbow Troupe added a distinct personality to each group which were hugely in demand.

John soon had 2 residential schools and close to 300 girls in training. He also supplied dancers to troupes in Paris and Berlin such was their popularity.

The Palace Troupe performed in front of the King and Queen at the first Royal Variety Performance in 1912 and for many years The Tiller Girls were a regular feature on Sunday Night at The London Palladium – a hugely popular televised stage show.

Did you know that Betty Boothroyd, the first woman Speaker of the House of Commons was a Tiller Girl!