
Telephone Number : 01642 308267
Email address : ian.parsons53@ntlworld.com
Contact name : Ian Parsons
Venue address : Ryhope Community Centre, Black Road, Ryhope, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 0RX
The Mighty Sunderland Compton Theatre Organ.
The organ built by the John Compton Company in 1932 for the Black's Regal Cinema later known as the Odeon. It was installed and ready for the opening of the cinema on Easter Monday, March 28th of that year. The resident organist was Mr J Arnold Eagle who played for the opening, along with his orchestra and supporting acts.
Over the years, the organ fell into disuse so a society was formed in 1975 at the suggestion of the then manager of the theatre, the late Mr. Ray Cook to look after the organ with view to getting it into playing condition again.
The Society, over the years at the Odeon, engaged several well-known organists including Reginald Dixon (on two occasions), Ron Curtis, Doreen Chadwick and Ripon Cathedral organist the late Ron Perrin and his choir.
When word came through that the cinema was going to be turned into a Bingo hall, the organ was finally purchased and removed from the Odeon Cinema by the society in July 1982. After it was removed, it went into storage for quite a few years while a suitable home was found for it. Eventually, one was found at Ryhope Community Centre. It was "switched on" by the Mayor on the 28th of March 1992 exactly 60 years from the original opening day.
The organ has nine ranks of pipes which are installed in two chambers located at the back of the stage and playable from the three-manual console front of stage.
Main Chamber (Left) Solo Chamber (Right)
1. Diapason. 6. Tibia.
2. Trumpet. 7. Tuba.
3. Violin. 8. Vox Humana.
4. Violin Celeste. 9. Clarinet.
5. Flute.
The console has three manuals of 61 notes each, a full pedal bord,139 stops and 13 toe pistons controlling special effects such as bird whistle, siren, engine, drum roll and grand crash.
It also has all the usual traps which include:-
Bass drum, Chinese block, Glockenspiel, Snare drum, Cymbal crash, Triangle, Chimes, Carillon, Sleigh bells, Chrysoglott, Tolling bell, Tom-tom, Xylophone, Orchestral bells, and Vibraphone.
Effects:-
Cymbal Roll, Aeroplane, Surf and Birds.
Click on the map and drag around to get a better idea of where our venue is. You can also zoom in. Click on the marker to see address details.
| 2010 | |
|---|---|
| February 28th | A Thankyou Concert by our Committee and President Joe Marsh. (more details) Doors Open 2:00pm for 2:30pm Start. |
| March 28th | David Redfern (more details) Doors open 2pm for 2:30 start. |
| May 9th | Chris Powell (more details) Doors open 2pm for 2:30 start. |
| July 4th | Chris Stanbury (more details) Doors open 2pm for 2:30 start. |
| September 5th | Simon Gledhill (more details) Doors open 2pm for 2:30 start. |
| October 24th | Andrew Nix (more details) Doors open 2pm for 2:30 start. |
| December 12th | David Ivory (more details) Doors open 2pm for 2:30 start. |