Charlie Vaude

Charlie Vaude real name Charles Joseph Ridgway (1882 or 1884 – 29 October 1942), was a popular Australian stage comedian of the duo Vaude and Verne, then became a successful radio personality in Victoria.

History Ridgway was born in Horselydown, Bermondsey, near the Tower Bridge, London, a son of Charles John Ridgway and Mary Ridgway, née McCarthy. and became a friend of "Dryblower" Murphy, who encouraged his thespian proclivities. reading all the local papers to keep abreast of the latest topics. He was an excellent singer and songwriter, so much of his act was topical songs to tunes of his own composition.

Vaude and Verne Ridgway met William James Newins Bartington (born 1884 in Port Pirie, died 1943) in May 1907, when the two had separate acts for Bert Warne at Los Hayward's Empire Theatre, Broken Hill. Warne claims to have brought them together and given them their new names. They immediately "hit it off" as a team, with Vaude as the fast talking joker, and Verne as his incredulous "feed", punctuating his partner's rants with "Oh, yes." "Is that so?" or "Well?" Then they were signed by Harry Rickards, and the patter act of Vaude and Verne was a popular turn on the Tivoli circuit for many years, through successive owners Hugh D. McIntosh and George Musgrove.

From 1926, together with Bert Dudley, they toured Queensland with Minna's Merrymakers. Minna's Theatres failed in 1928, but Vaude kept the company together, and as "Vaude and Verne's Merry-makers" they toured 1928 to 1930, when they dissolved the partnership.

3DB

In 1930 Vaude was contracted by Archie Whyte of The Sun to make their radio station 3DB's advertising more appealing. He became part of the station's on-air team.

When Australia played England in Test cricket at the MCC, Vaude added his own commentary to the ball-by-ball descriptions by Jack Ryder and Frank Russell, who were following the action through coded cable messages.

He was associated with Ryder and Bill Woodfull in later Test cricket broadcasts.

From 1932 Vaude and Renn Millar (died 1945) conducted community singing at the Princess Theatre, assisted by the C & G Minstrels, and in various formats conducted a weekly show from 1932 to 1941.

He was host of the 3DB Smile Away Club.

While working at 3DB he was prominent in fund-raising for charities, being credited with collecting more than £60,000.

Recognition Woodfull and Ryder helped organise the Charlie Vaude Hospital Cot Fund in his memory.

Publications

Songs "Kosciuszko", sung by Nella Webb "Sing Us a Song of Australia", written 1917 for the First AIF troops, and sung by Violet Trevenyon "How Do You Do" sung by Charlie Vaude B/W "Smile Away" sung by Charlie Vaude and Renn , on Vocalion disc.

Family On 25 September 1911, Ridgway married variety performer Lilias May "Lulla" Roots professionally known as Lilas Birt. on 5 October 1935.

They had a home "Cherwell", Clarke Street, Northcote, Melbourne