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On Show: Two Ton Tessie!

Two Ton Tessie!

27/07/2006

BBC Two - On Show, Two Ton Tessie!

A look at the colourful career of legendary music hall star Tessie O'Shea.

Entertainment and the arts magazine. A look at the colourful career of legendary music hall star Tessie O'Shea, who styled herself Two Ton Tessie from Tennessee.

Although she styled herself Two Ton Tessie from Tennessee and affected a Lancashire accent, the exuberant Teresa O'Shea was born in Riverside, Cardiff just before the First World War began, and by the end of it had already made her stage debut. 

She was part of a generation of variety performers who built their popularity the hard way, slogging their way through endless summer seasons and tours. Some were lucky enough to branch out into radio, film and eventually television, and Tessie did all of that and more, acquiring an Oscar nomination and a Tony Award along the way. 

This film looks at the colourful career of the music hall star with contributors Stan Stennett and Wyn Calvin.

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