THE ODEON THEATRE
WESTON SUPER MARE
&
THE COMPTON THEATRE ORGAN
-oOo-
PART 4: THE FINAL CONCERT
GIVEN AT THE THEATRE ORGAN
OF THE
THE ODEON THEATRE/CINEMA
WESTON SUPER MARE
-oOo-
The Odeon Theatre Weston Super Mare (2017)
(Photograph provided by Paul Bland)
-oOo-
CLICK HERE to read this article published in THE GUARDIAN
on 22nd May, 2023
LAST OF THE SEASIDE CINEMA ORGANS:
WESTON-SUPER-MARE BIDS ADIEU TO IT COMPTON
By
Steven Morris
-oOo-
-oOo-
With the announcement that the Odeon Theatre/Cinema Weston Super Mare was to close its doors for the last time on the 5th June, 2023, a final Organ Concert was organised. The Concert was planned for Sunday, the 21st May, 2023 and would be given by the renowned Theatre Organist, Michael Wooldridge. This final concert (for the present, that is!), was sponsored by the Theatre Organ Club.
-oOo-
-oOo-
THE FINAL CONCERT
-oOo-
There was a full-house of Theatre Organ devotees present in Screen 4 of the Theatre/Cinema including a number of renowned Theatre Organists on that Sunday afternoon. Everyone waited with anticipation for the first note to be struck for what was going to be a somewhat sad yet auspicious event. However, no matter what the feeling, everyone present was eagerly looking forward to the treat that was in store. And cameras clicked and hands clapped as the illuminated instrument rose majestically from the Orchestra Pit.
This Video was provided by Mr. Ben Snowdon and appears here with permission
-oOo-
The Theatre Organ rose to the sound of the tune, That’s Entertainment! This was certainly the most appropriate tune to introduce the Concert, since this was EXACTLY IT …… ENTERTAINMENT! ……. for the Theatre Organ symbolises just that ……. ENTERTAINMENT!!! ……. ENTERTAINMENT FOR EVERYONE!!! ……. although for most audiences of today, it sadly presents that of a bygone age.
But let us not forget that the Concert was for those who still are able to appreciate the glorious music of the Theatre Organ and enjoy the wide array of sounds that a skilled Organist is able to coax from it.
-oOo-
The Concert consisted of two parts with a short interval in between. Here is a list of the tunes offered by Michael Wooldridge in Part One of the Concert:
The Audience enjoying the Concert
-oOo-
-oOo-
The Organist opened Part Two of the Concert with a hearty rendition of the tune, Seventy-Six Trombones.
Video by Ms Joy Eady and Provided by Michael Wooldridge
-oOo-
This last selection brought the Concert to an end, but an Encore was offered and included:
Video by Ms Joy Eady and Provided by Michael Wooldridge
And as the Organ slowly descended back into the Orchestra Pit and together with a wave of the hand, an era came to an end.
-oOo-
The Audience leaving the Building after the Concert ended
-oOo-
BBC REPORT OF THE FINAL CONCERT
WITH COMMENTS BY MICHAEL WOOLDRIGE,
FOLLOWED BY BEN SNOWDON,
& FINALLY, THREE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE
-oOo-
Mr. Peter Simpson attended the Concert and had traveled some distance from his home in order to do so. After the Concert wrote a report, which appears here:
-oOo-
AFTER THE CONCERT, THE ORGANIST,
MR. MICHAEL WOOLRIDGE, WROTE TO SAY:
-oOo-
I think it only appropriate to allow Mr. Ben Snowdon, one of the people who has worked hard to maintain the Organ in good condition over the years and allow those who attended the numerous Concerts the joy of hearing its sounds, to have the final word:
-oOo-
BUT HOLD ON ……….. THIS TURNS OUT NOT TO BE THE END OF THE STORY …………
PLEASE GO TO PAGE 5 AND SEE!
——-oooo000oooo——-
I would greatly recommend readers to visit the RYE WURLITZER at the following sites:
The Rye Theatre – Home of the Rye Academy Wurlitzer Theatre Organ
and
A Short Documentary Film Featuring The Rye Academy Wurlitzer Theatre Organ
——-oooo000oooo——-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Messrs Michael Wooldridge, Len Rawle, Keith Beckingham, Simon Gledhill, David Ivory, Byron Jones, Ben Snowdon and Peter Simpson for sharing their thoughts on The Theatre, The Organ and The Final Concert.
I would like to thank Mr. Paul Bland and Mr. Peter Simpson for their help in the preparation of this piece.
I would also like to thank Mr. David Schuster of The Cinema Organ Society for his help.
I would very much like to thank Mr. Michael Thomas for his terrific website and for allowing his quote to appear here.
I would also especially like to thank Mr. John Wright for his help and great efforts in the hunt to find information and a copy of Round the Corner (at the Odeon).
Finally, I would also like to thank the members of the Archives of the University Huddersfield and Professor Charles Hippisley-Cox (Charles Hippisley-Cox British Dance Band Collection (1911-1945) maintained at Heritage Quay) who have agreed to a copy of Round the Corner (at the Odeon) to appear here.
——-oooo000oooo——-
——oooOOOooo——
——oooOOOooo——
Dr. Jenkins, before knowing you I did not even know theatre organs existed. The more I read about them the more fascinating they became. Thank you for conserving history. I cannot even imaging how difficult it must have been gathering facts, photographs, people’s names , dates etc. living a continent away. I am old and I see things forgotten all the time, so, thank you.
Mrs. Starkeson: Thank you very much for your very kind comment. It is much appreciated.
You have done an excellent job of creating a very interesting article for your website. The addition of the audio and video is very good. Without being there yourself you have managed to capture a very accurate account of the historic event. It does look like the cinema will reopen and maybe new concerts on the Compton, however, your article is all the more important as there have not been many items reported about the Weston Compton organ in the past.
Peter: Thank you for your kind words – they are much appreciated. It is great to know that there is a chance the Concerts will continue.
Really good news that the instrument may play again in the not too distant future. Well done with your documentation of events, Charles – let’s hope there’s plenty more to add to this story soon.
Michael: many thanks for your comment. We can all live in hope that the playing of Theatre will continue to offer great concerts for years to come.