Here’s the chance to see the Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust’s spectacular Wurlitzer showcase
12.10.2022 - 18:46
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust preserves the craftsmanship and musicianship of yesterday through the provision of high quality and entertaining concerts utilising the cream of the UK’s and overseas cinema organists.
The Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust was formed over 50 years ago, to preserve the Wurlitzer organs that were contained in the Odeon and Gaumont cinemas on Oxford Road in Manchester, when they had to be removed to allow redevelopment of the cinemas through division to multi-screen and other purposes.
The Trust has its own Theatre Organ Heritage Centre in Eccles, which provides weekly concerts on Wurlitzer and Compton cinema organs.
There is also a museum on the lower floor detailing the history of cinema organ evolution from its prime in the early 1930’s.
At Stockport Town Hall, it presents international organists, and the Wurlitzer is also used with the Stockport Symphony Orchestra.
The team pride themselves on presenting artists with a nostalgic and popular musical experience, from the late 1920’s through to the present day, as enjoyed by todays listeners.
Considered by many as the best cinema organ in the UK, the Stockport Wurlitzer was shipped from the Rudolph Wurlitzer factory in Tonawanda NY (USA) in the mid 1930 for installation in the new 3,000 seat Paramount Cinema on Oxford Road in Manchester.
The organ was used daily as part of the film and variety programmes and broadcast regularly over the BBC featuring the UK’s top organists. At that time, a top class cinema organist was equivalent to one of today's major pop stars, with often five or six broadcasts from cinemas all over the country every day. The organ was featured in the Paramount which later became the Odeon until the early 70’s when