THE THEATRE ORGAN

Robert Hope-Jones (1859-1914) Father of The Theatre Organ

-oOo-

PART THREE

THE ORGANS & ORGANISTS
of
THE GRANADA THEATRE CIRCUIT

Sidney Bernstein

-oOo-

PAGE FOURTEEN
THE GRANADA THEATRE
CLAPHAM JUNCTION

-oOo-

This photograph appears with permission of Dusashenka

The Granada Theatre Clapham Junction, advertised as Your New Wonder Theatre, opened in November 1937 and was equipped with a Wurlitzer Organ of 3 manuals, 8 Ranks and a Grand Piano. The organ was played at the opening by Donald Thorne and has been featured a number of times for BBC Radio programming and Reginald Dixon played it during his tour of the Granada Theatres.

Click here to hear Donald Thorne play the organ of the Granada Theatre Clapham Junction

This photograph appears with permission of Mr. Wayne Ivany

Click here to hear/see the only video that I have been able to find where the organ of the Granada Theatre Clapham Junction is played. Here, H. Robinson & Molly Cleaver are heard and seen.

At the time of the theatre’s closure, the organ had been sold and is now installed in a hall at the Collège Claparède in Geneva, Switzerland where it remains. Apparently the organ is in working order and played regularly. The Collège is currently in the midst of a programme of restoration and has a society of Friends of the Organ who contribute to its upkeep. Seemingly, the main problem with the organ at present is its bellows, which need to be replaced regularly. Luckily the Collège has found someone to make the necessary replacements.

The Granada Theatre Clapham Junction’s Wurlitzer Organ

This photograph appears with permission of Mr. Robert Plummer

—ooOoo—

Click here

to read the comment of organist, Simon Gledhill, who was invited
to play the former Granada Theatre Clapham Junction Wurlitzer Organ now installed at the
Collège Claparède in Geneva, Switzerland

Mr. Gledhill seated at The Wurlitzer Theatre Organ at the Collège Claparède

——oooOOOooo——

In November 2014, I was fortunate enough to be given a tour of Transformation House by Mr. Mark Featherstone. I am very grateful to him for his giving of his time and to the staff of The House for allowing this visit. For those readers wishing to see some of the photographs taken during this visit, please follow the link below: