Jimmy Slater was born in 1898 in Yorkshire. He was a female impersonator, starting as a 14 year-old boy just before the First World War. During the war he honed his craft in military concert parties.
After the war he was recruited to the cast of ‘Splinters’, a smash hit revue made up of an ex-military concert party, which toured into the 1930s – possibly the longest running revue on the British stage.
Jimmy left Splinters some time in the 20s and went on to build himself a career in the north of England, producing revues, seaside shows and pantomimes, and continued performing well into the 1960s. By this time he had a thriving costume supply business, and continued in this field after retiring from the stage.
He lived to 100.
These amazing pictures from Sarah‘s mother who got to know him when she ran a vintage clothing shop and he called her and offered some of his old costumes for sale. They became good friends.
“When he died, mum went to the auction of his effects and bought a sackful of old publicity photos and press cuttings which she gave to me.”
 |
| Jimmy in Splinters, 1923 |
 |
| A coy Jimmy, mid-1920s |
 |
| Jimmy in a bead bodice dress, 1920s |
 |
| Jimmy in a black dress, 1920s |
 |
| Jimmy in a lace dress, 1920s |
Leave a Reply