VERTO VAUDEVILLE Co
AUSTRALIAN VARIETY THEATRE ARCHIVE: RESEARCH NOTES
See last page for citation, copyright and last updated details.
aka Myorama Vaudeville Combination
(1899-1900) Established by conjuror and illusionist Percy Verto, the company opened its account in Port Adelaide on
18 December then travelled to Broken Hill. When a re-organised line-up opened at Adelaide's Theatre Royal on 17
February it did so under the name Myorama Vaudeville Combination. The entertainment for this season included still
and moving pictures depicting views and incidents from the Boer War. Performers known to have been engaged by
Verto included his wife Millie Richardson (later Madam Verto), Harry Deane, Charles Whaite, A. Jamieson, Jaffa,
Amy and Florrie Godfrey, Maud Raynor, and Harry Linden. The company's last known whereabouts was in Wallaroo
(SA) in mid-March.
► See also: Percy Verto • Madame Verto (aka Millie Richardson / La Petite Verto)
•
The company received unexpected national publicity in early January 1900 following Verto's bravery in helping
to stop a train before it was destroyed by fire. With the driver and guards unaware of the impending danger Verto
climb along the outside of seven carriages on the moving train, with only the moldings to hold onto (there being
no rails). According to press reports at least 14 women and several men were saved from certain death. [see below
for a selection of newspaper reports]
Advertiser (Adelaide) 18 Dec. (1899), 2.
Personnel incl. Verto (in his Hanky-Panky Pastimes on Deck), Millie Richardson (soubrette), Harry Deane, Charles
Whaite (baritone), A. Jamieson, Jaffa (Indian Mimic and His Merry Little Family), Amy and Florrie Godfrey
(song and dance artistes), Maud Raynor, and Harry Linden (musical director).
Advertiser (Adelaide) 19 Feb. (1900), 2.
1899
Adelaide
Advertiser 18 Dec. (1899), 6.
Advertiser 19 Dec. (1899), 8.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/2487121
►
Broken Hill (NSW)
Barrier Miner 27 Dec. (1899), 3.
Barrier Miner 27 Dec. (1899), 2.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/3374416
►
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/3375126
1900
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/3353346
Some examples of the numerous reports published around Australia regarding Verto's daring feat aboard the
Broken Hill Express.
Maitland Daily Mercury 4 Jan. (1900), 3.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/12647532
Barrier Miner (Broken Hill) 4 Jan. (1900), 4.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/3352856
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/17395735
Adelaide
Advertiser 14 Feb. (1900), 6.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/2447435
Advertiser 19 Feb. (1900), 7.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/2447474
South Australian Register 17 Feb. (1900), 5.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/54431256
Quiz and the Lantern 25 Feb. (1900), 5.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/19461460
South Australian Register 22 Feb. (1900), 8.
Kadina (SA)
Kadina and Wallaroo Times 17 Mar. (1900), 2
Kadina and Wallaroo Times 17 Mar. (1900), 3.
Australian Variety Theatre Archive: Research Notes
Published by Clay Djubal: 18/06/2015
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