Compton Theatre Cinema Organ at Kinema in the Woods, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

The 3 manual, 9 rank Compton cinema/theatre organ shown in this video being played by Alan Underwood, the resident organist at the Kinema in the Woods Cinema, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire.
The organ is installed in two chambers, four ranks of pipes in one, five in the other, either side of the screen/stage. The screen itself (Screen 1) is projected onto from behind when in use.
The video shows the organ rising from the 'pit' to stage level - followed by a medley of tunes including 'Men About Town', 'Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers March', 'When I'm Cleaning Windows' and 'Dambusters March'. After which the organ descends again under the stage.
You'll see also demonstrated the Grand Piano attachment - which works using pneumatics, solenoids and an electrical impulse from the console.
The instrument was originally installed into the Super Cinema, Charing Cross Road, London in 1928, the console being painted and lacquered ornately by a Japanese artist. It was moved to Woodhall Spa in 1986, and a lift from the Odeon Hanley obtained to raise the console up and down.

Since making this video, the main chamber on this organ has been completely re-winded. Re-leathered Compton regulators and tremulants have replaced the 1987 ones - as they have also been in the Solo chamber. The organ is now sounding much better than it did even a year ago. Work continues with the Tuba rank, and to add a 16ft. Diaphone.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• compton
• theatre
• cinema
• organ
• manual
• alan
• underwood
• piano
• music
• dambusters
• stage
• wurlitzer
• kinema
• woods
• lincolnshire
• woodhall
• spa

[krummet1]

To date the main chamber on this organ has been completely re winded. Re-leathered Compton regulators and tremulants have replaced the 1987 ones As they have been in the Solo chamber. The organ is now sounding much better than it did even a year ago. Work continues with the Tuba rank, and to add a 16ft. Diaphone.

[nickn5nl]

@krummet1 Excellent news, I look forward to perhaps hearing it again one of these days :) Thanks for the update - I shall post it in the info section of the video.

[nickn5nl]

@krummet1 Thanks for posting that information. Adjusting trems on these cinema organs always seems to be a bit of a nightmare - and of course everyone has differing opinions of what speed sounds best... :)

Still, I enjoyed listening to it being played on the day, as did everyone there.

[krummet1]

Respond to this video...As the guy who assists the organ builder at the Kinema, perhaps I can give an answer to the"chirping" Tibia trem. Just before that excerpt was recorded the trem had to be re-leathered, and in spite of spending over an hour adjusting it, that was the best we could do in the time available. The organ has been altered by past owners regarding wind supply and voicing. Work is in hand to put all these matters right. The organ is best heard in the middle of the hall.

[krummet1]

@3dwurli 

[3dwurli]

@nickn5nl Yes, its a compton, but, there are MANY nice comptons, especially the ones compton seen to himself. I think its mainly the voicing thats abit rough. Some of the smaller stuff sounds rather nice, its the reeds that are rough i think, maybe the tibia trem too which seems to be chirping rather than singing, lol

[nickn5nl]

@3dwurli Lol - well it IS a Compton... ;) But no, actually you probably noticed the ciphering pipe almost at the start of playing, and tuning/voicing certainly might be improved a bit, I agree.

[3dwurli]

@nickn5nl

Sounds like it needs abit of work?

[nickn5nl]

@3dwurli Yes indeed, from Super Cinema Charing Cross Road originally.