THE THEATRE ORGAN
Robert Hope-Jones (1859-1914) Father of The Theatre Organ
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PAGE TWENTY-FOUR
THE GRANADA THEATRE RUGBY
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The Former Granada Theatre Rugby shown here as a Gala Bingo Venue This photograph was taken by Mr. Paul Bland and appears with his permission
Also in 1933, Bernstein Theatres acquired a share in the Plaza Theatre and the smaller Regal Cinema in Rugby. The Plaza Theatre was taken over fully in 1944 and was renamed, Granada in 1946.
A Christie Theatre Organ with 3 Manuals and 8 Ranks had been installed and was often played at concerts and was later installed in a private home in Peterborough. Further information on this Theatre Organ may be found together with The Theatre Organ of The Granada Wandsworth on the following page.
Arthur Tipper at The Christie Theatre Organ of the Granada Theatre Rugby
This photograph was provided by Paul Bland
The Theatre closed in 1976 and became a Granada Social Club until 1991 when it was taken over by Gala Bingo who operated it until 2010. Following this, it remained closed and was demolished in 2011.
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Click here to hear Dave Wickerham play Ruby, The Virtual Theatre Pipe Organ
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Mr. Paul Bland for allowing his photographs to appear here.
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Click here to return to THE THEATRE ORGANS OF
THE GRANADA THEATRE CIRCUIT Home Page
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Click here to GO to PART FOUR:
THE ELECTRIC-PNEUMATIC SYSTEM OF THE THEATRE ORGAN
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Click here to return to the GLOSSARY
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Click here to return to THE THEATRE ORGAN Home Page
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Click here to return to the TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Is it known when the Christie organ was removed from the former Granada cinema in Rugby?
Mr. Beare:
Thank you for visiting my website and writing to me regarding the Theatre Organ of the Granada Theatre Rugby.
As I say, it was purchased by a gentleman from Peterborough and you can read what Mr. Len Rawle and Mr. Anthony Storey had to say about the instrument at:
https://stories-of-london.org/organ-25-wandsworth/
I am from Rugby and was interested in the answer to Mr Beare’s question that is not answered in the link provided. I clearly remember the demolition of the building in 2011 so wonder if the Organ was removed shortly before that date or any time after 1976 when the Granada
Closed up till 2011
Mr. Garrett: As soon as I learn when the Theatre Organ was removed from the Granada Theatre Rugby, I will inform you. Regards.
Thank you Charles Jenkins for you help in this matter please see my conclusion below.
After a star studded history since its building in 1933 complete with its Christie Organ the Plaza/ Granada Cinema closed in 1976 and sold the Organ to private ownership.
The building remained open as a bingo hall till 2010 when it quietly without any public consultation was demolished in 2011
Many dates for the saving of the iconic Christie Organ were offered but with no real proof so it remained a mystery for years.
After lots of research, supposition, guess work, emails, chats with ex Bingo hall employees and local history groups it finally became clear the move took place shortly after the Cinema closed and before it became a Granada Bingo Hall Just after February 1976. So finally I had a definitive date to a small but important part of our town history.
I am very glad that you have been successful in your quest to learn when the Christie Theatre Organ was removed from the Granada Theatre Rugby.