Jack Tripp

Who was Jack Tripp?

Jack Tripp MBE was an English comic actor, singer and dancer who appeared in seaside variety shows and revues and became best known for his many performances as a pantomime dame.

Born in Plymouth, Devon, Tripp was the only son of a baker, William Tripp, and his wife Lillian. At a very young age he attended dancing classes and entered tap dancing competitions; leading to appearances in local clubs where his was billed as Plymouth’s Fred Astaire. When war broke out, Tripp joined up to serve in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Whilst in the army, he joined Stars in Battledress where he performed in Europe and the Middle East.

After the war, Tripp took up acting professionally and appeared as a singer and dancer in variety shows and revues. He made his debut in the West End understudying Sid Field in Piccadilly Hayride at the Prince of Wales Theatre in 1946. Tripp was with the Fol-de-Rols concert party for fourteen years, and this led to his own seaside show Take a Tripp.

Tripp is best known for his appearances as a pantomime dame in which he excelled. He appeared in at least 35 pantomimes wearing the most elaborate costumes.