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The Tiller Girls were popular dance troupes, first formed by John Tiller in Manchester, England, in 1890. Whilst on visits to the theatre, Tiller had noticed the overall effect of a chorus of dancers was often spoiled by lack of discipline. Possibly most famous for their high-kicking routines, the Tiller Girls were highly trained and precise. The number of troupes grew to dozens and they were famous around the world. Troupes were all slightly different, yet characterised by the fact that girls in each were matched very precisely for height and weight. Individuality within the troupes was discouraged in favour of a strong group ethic. The popularity of the Tiller Girls had waned by the 1960s.

John Tiller founded the dancers in 1886 as The Four Sunbeams. From this was founded the Tiller School of dancing and the Tiller Girl troupes.

John Tiller and his wife originally formed the group for a show at the old Pavilion Theatre Blackpool in the 1890's. Mary died in 1905, however John married again 20 months later to Jenny who became very much involved in the running of the troupes.

The Tiller's became famous throughout the world performing as resident dancers at the Folies Bergeres in Paris, The London Palladium, The Palace Theatre London ( As the Palace Girls, The Blackpool Winter Gardens. And Hundreds of theatre's over the British Isles, The Continent and the United States.

Ex-Tiller Girls include Betty Boothroyd, Speaker of the House of Commons (1992-2000), Diana Vreeland, former Editor-in-chief of Vogue and Sunny Rogers, accompanying pianist to comedian Frankie Howerd.

• Entry at PeoplePlay UK (UK Museum of Performance)

• Bernard Tiller's Tiller Girls Web Site)Bernard Tiller's Tiller Girls Web Site Pages of information on John Tiller, The Tiller Girl Dancers and the Tiller School of Dancing

• (A Second Link to the Tiller Girls web pages) Tillergirls.tk