Sunderland Theatre Organ Preservation Society.

NEXT CONCERT

Sunday 4th May 2014 with Kelvin Kent.

Kelvin started playing electronic organ from 9 years of age. His first introduction to the theatre organ was at the Thursford Collection in Norfolk, with Robert Wolfe at the Wurlitzer organ. He began taking lessons at the parish church in his home town of Boston in Lincolnshire, where an interest in organ building developed. He had an opportunity to play the Compton at the Burtey Fen Collection, and at 14 played the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer. At 17 years of age he moved to Durham to be an apprenticed organ builder with the well known firm Harrison-Harrison. He travels throughout Great Britain working on all types of organ and playing them in concert performances. His selection of music for us, will include songs from the shows, film themes, tributes to organists and band leaders, and some light classical.

Ryhope Community Centre, Sunderland SR2 0RX.

THE SOCIETY IS TRYING TO ADDRESS FALLING CONCERT ATTENDANCE. PLEASE TRY AND BRING ALONG ONE PERSON THAT MAY BE INTERESTED. 

The programme for the remainder of the year is as follows...
Sunday 6th July....Kevin Morgan.
Sunday 7th September....David Warner.
Sunday 26th October....Howard Beaumont.
Sunday 21st December....Joanne Naulls.

NOTICE OF THE A.G.M.

The Annual General Meeting of the Sunderland Theatre Organ Preservation Society, will take place in Ryhope Community Centre, Ryhope SR2 0RX on Sunday 27th April 2014 at 2pm.
A notice and agenda has been sent out to members, please make every effort to attend as your input at this meeting is important.

NEWS

On Sunday 16th March the Society had the pleasure of welcoming two organists  Andrew Nix and Tony Stace. Andrew showed off his true mastery of the Mighty Compton Organ, and Tony accompanied on the Yamaha HX1, and also played a number of solo pieces. It was a splendid concert and well attended. The power of the two organs being played so brilliantly was quite overwhelming, blending together to provide an afternoon of first class entertainment. The varied selection of music chosen for our delight, was peppered with the two lads witty Yorkshire banter.

Andrew and Tony plus colourful shirts.

Tony at the Yamaha and Andrew at the Compton.

The Ryhope Community Centre Hall is an excellent venue to appreciate the powerful sound of the Mighty Compton Organ.

The audience gather in the hall before the concert.

SUNDERLAND HISTORY FAIR

The organ society will be represented at the Sunderland Heritage and History Fair in the Seaburn Centre (on the sea front) Saturday 7th June 2014 from 10am to 4pm. Representatives from the Society will be on hand to talk about the organ and the concert programme. There will a display with photographs of the instrument.

Heritage/History Fair details

Heritage/History Fair location.

COMPTON ORGAN HISTORY

Arnold Eagle pictured below was resident organist after the installation in 1932. He would also lead the orchestra from the console during variety concerts. The cinema known as "Black's Regal" was opened on Easter Monday 28th March and is located in Holmeside (Sunderland). The imposing building is now a bingo hall.

J.Arnold Eagle the first resident organist.

George and Alfred Black's Regal cinema was built on the site of the Olympia Exhibition Hall and was part of the Northern Independent "Black's Circuit". It was designed as a luxurious cine-theatre with 2522 seats by Edwin Sheridan Gray and Frederick Evans of Liverpool.  Built in the art-deco style it had a 57ft wide proscenium, and the stage was 40ft deep with 10 dressing rooms. The first film to be shown in 1932 was Jessie Matthews in "Out of the Blue".

In 1955 the "Black's Circuit" was taken over by the Rank organisation and the Regal was renamed the Odeon on the 28th November 1955. It was divided into a 3 screen cinema in 1975 but attendances continued to fall.

Odeon frontage c1965

 The cinema closed its doors on the 26th June 1982 and the building boarded up. It re-opened as a "Top Rank Bingo Hall" and now it is part of the "Mecca Bingo" organisation. When so many cinemas and theatres were demolished, this is a remarkable survivor, although the area was approved for re-development in 2009. The photo below (20th March) shows the original frontage, and kept in reasonable order by Mecca, and the ornate window has been bricked up. Unfortunately the surrounding buildings are unoccupied and rather shabby

Mecca Bingo in Holmeside 20th March 2014.

The organ can be played, or just listened to on the second and fourth Sunday in the month from 1.30 in the afternoon. The membership secretary would be pleased to provide details.

The Society acknowledges publicity for the concerts, on the listings website  organrecitals.com

posted by Neville.
email address for concert/organ/membership information....
ryhopecomptonorgan@gmail.com