SUNDERLAND THEATRE ORGAN PRESERVATION SOCIETY
RYHOPE COMMUNITY CENTRE
BLACK ROAD
RYHOPE
SUNDERLAND
SR2 0RX 

February 2017

The Society cares for the ex Black's Regal/Odeon John Compton (3/9) theatre organ.

Next concert details...

Sunday 23rd April 2017...Kevin Grunill

Kevin Grunill has built up a fine reputation for playing both keyboard and pipe instruments. He was born in Barnsley in 1972 and became interested things of a musical nature at a very early age. By the age of 12 years, he had decided that the electronic organ was his chosen instrument and developed his playing style and technique. At 16 years he took an interest in the theatre pipe organ from both a playing and constructional point of view. Attending Leeds University he gained a BA (Hons) in music in 1994. He started playing concerts countrywide, and in 1997 was resident organist in the sun lounge on Blackpool's North Pier. He played there for successive seasons until 2005 and was also engaged to play the famous Blackpool Tower Wurlitzer during this time.  Kevin has a great interest in musical theatre and has been MD and producer supporting a number of theatrical productions. He is a talented organ repairer and restorer, with a number of major organ restoration projects to his name. He has undertaken significant repair work to our John Compton organ here at Ryhope, ensuring it performs well for our concerts. Kevin travels from his home in Barnsley today to play for us. He makes a most welcome return to the Ryhope Compton and we look forward to an afternoon of musical delights.

Kevin at the Tower WurliTzer

Kevin Grunill

Review of our recent concerts...

Sunday 19th February 2017...David Lobban

David has just completed his 21st season at the Blackpool Tower ballroom organ, and enters his 40th year as a professional musician. As a chorister in the Jesus College Choir Cambridge he became interested in the majesty of the classical organ. Following on he naturally took an interest in the wonderful sounds of the cinema organ, and a family move to  Weston-Super-Mare enabled him to spend many happy hours associated with the Odeon Compton there. He was encouraged to both play and to study organ building/repair and maintenance. In 1977 David emigrated to Canada in connection with an organ installation in a restaurant called "Toronto Organ Grinder" where he both played and undertook organ tuning,  maintenance and repair. Concert performances took him all over the world and he returned to this country to become part of the Blackpool Tower team of organists involved with the WurliTzer.
He began his programme with a selection of music in the Reg Dixon style including "Teddy Bears' Picnic". Other pieces in the first half included "Blue Moon", "Butterflies in the Rain",  "Daintiness", and a Latin fiesta including "Brazil" and "Yellow bird". In the second half , we enjoyed a "South Pacific" compilation, other tunes included "Ain't misbehaving", "Pennies from Heaven", "Good ol' summertime", and an Irving Berlin selection. The time passed so quickly and we all agreed it had been a splendid afternoon of delightful music. We look forward to David's return next year.

David at Ryhope on the 19th February (NW)

David Lobban 

Christmas Concert Sunday 11th December 2016.

Chris Powell made a welcome return to the Compton console at Ryhope Community Centre. Chris was born in Manchester, 1971 and by 1977 was receiving piano and organ lessons and was also a keen chorister. By the age of 16 years he was playing for concerts and dances in West Yorkshire and Lancashire. He soon became part of the Blackpool Tower team of organists, associated with the WurliTzer organ in the ballroom. Chris is also a demonstrator for a number of organ companies including Farfisa and Roland. He began his concert with a rousing "Dambusters March" a "My Fair Lady"  and an "Abba"selection followed. We were treated to an exciting "Toccata" by Vidor, and there followed tunes associated with the Blackpool theme and style. The second half consisted of a number of delightful seasonal pieces, a "Latin" selection and songs from the shows. Chris concluded with a sing-along compilation of carols and Christmas tunes and finished with the famous "Radesky" March. The concert was well attended and proved an exciting end to the 2016 programme.

Chris at the console in his vibrant red suit. (NW)

Concert with Cameron Lloyd on Sunday 16th October 2016.

The Society was pleased to welcome back to the console the ever popular Cameron Lloyd to play for us on Sunday 16th October 2016. Cameron travelled from his home in the Midlands, and gave us an afternoon of musical excitement. He began his concert with some memories of the late Steve Tovey (former Wolverhampton Civic Organist) including a piece written by Steve the "Pipegate March". A Reg. Dixon tribute followed with so many of his popular tunes in the "Blackpool style". There was a selection of music that featured girls names in the titles,  followed by toe-tapping music for the ballroom. He finished the first half with an impressive 12th Street Rag. The second half  featured a march selection including "Blaze Away" and "Stein Song" and tunes associated with TV,  radio and cinema. To finish, we had a good old Blackpool sing along, the audience demanded two encores, and gave Cameron a standing ovation. All  were in agreement that it was a fantastic afternoon's entertainment, with music to suit everyone.

Cameron...always smiling (NW)

Future concerts and programme for 2017...


Sunday 18th June... Peter Jebson

Peter Jebson at the Royalty WurliTzer Bowness ( Royalty Cinema)

Sunday 20th August... Lewis Scott

Lewis Scott ATOS winner (KG)

Sunday 15th October... Damon Willetts

Damon Willetts at Bilston (Theatre Organ Club)

Sunday 10th December... Elizabeth Harrison

Elizabeth Harrison at the Ryhope Compton (NW)

Members afternoons...

Second and forth Sunday afternoons of the month from 1.30-3.30pm, listen to the organ or indeed "have a go"... cup of tea and biscuits available! (No members afternoons in December 2016 resume in January 2017)

Member Paul plays the Compton on a recent member's Sunday afternoon (NW)

From the archives...

The former home of the Compton Organ in the Black's Regal/Odeon, Sunderland.

The "dancing lady" grille and the organ to the right (SAS)

Another auditorium view (SAS)

Foyer staff (date unknown)  (SAS)

The impressive frontage of the Odeon Cinema (SAS)

The John Compton (3/9) organ was installed new to the Black's Regal Cinema in Holmside (Sunderland) on Easter Monday 28 March 1932. It is the only example of John Compton's work in Sunderland and the surrounding area. When installed the console was in the centre of the orchestra pit standing on the floor. The lift was added at a later date, probably when the orchestra was dispensed with. The organ chambers were to the left of the proscenium arch and it sounded through a mixing chamber and then shutters which faced the circle. The sound entered the auditorium through a grille known as the "dancing lady"... the design of which was built up from plaster. In 1975 a Society was formed to look after the Organ and arrange concerts featuring well-known organists. These included Reg. Dixon, Ron Curtis, and Doreen Chadwick to name a few. The Rank Organisation also presented some shows themselves including Jess Yates, and Douglas Reeve. The final concert took place on the 28th March 1982 and was given by Phil Kelsall of Blackpool Tower ballroom fame.  The cinema subsequently went over to Bingo and the organ had to be dismantled and removed.


posted by Neville
email ryhopecomptonorgan@gmail.com
concert details/membership use the above email address.
see our Facebook page, and organfax.co.uk for more concert information.
All concerts start at 2.30pm and please use the red door entrance on Black Road.