On the afternoon of Sunday July 21 the mighty Wurlitzer at Rye College was put through its paces with panache and brilliance by Michael Wooldridge and John Mann. John (still sparkling at the age of eighty-five) is a cinema organist legend with more than sixty years of show business behind him – and a natty line in patter. Michael runs the Wurlitzer Academy at the college and it is wonderful to think that the next generation of players is already in training: this is one tradition that shows no signs of dying out.
Michael Wooldridge explained: “As a professional theatre organist, I am lucky to tour around the UK and further afield to play concerts of popular music and accompany silent films on the remaining mighty theatre organs. To come to the Rye Wurlitzer, an instrument I have played on and off for some forty years and have broadcast on BBC Radio 2, is always a joy as, although not the largest there is, it is now in such excellent working condition that it is very versatile and gives me free reign to play everything from my beloved big band music to popular light classics and modern ballads.
“In 2010 I was invited to be principal tutor for Rye College’s Rye Wurlitzer Academy, a unique and pioneering project which has seen literally thousands of students hearing the organ and hundreds learning to play it, all funded by the charity with no cost to the students at all, securing the craft of playing these fabulous instruments for the next generation.”
Our compere for the afternoon was the elegantly-waistcoated Richard Moore, ably assisted by his two grandchildren, curtain-pullers in-chief and raffle ticket drawers extraordinary. Richard established a friendly and relaxed atmosphere in which the audience could sit back and luxuriate both in the sounds of yesteryear – Coronation Scot, Duke Ellington Medley, Comedian’s Gallop; and in some classical favourites – Finlandia, Carmen and Rossini’s La Danza, for example.
It was clear that many of those listening were repeat ‘offenders’ with a warm appreciation of both the music itself and the skill of the performers. A judiciously-placed video camera projecting on screen enabled everyone to marvel at the dexterity – and whatever the equivalent term is for feet – of the organists who coaxed such a range of sounds from the instrument.
Wurlitzers are few and far between: those of us living in Rye and its locality are privileged to have the opportunity to attend such concerts – and there were refreshments and a raffle, too.
Richard said: “I have been privileged to be at the helm of the restoration of our magnificent Rye Wurlitzer for thirty-five years and it has been a thrill in that time to see it transformed from a poor reflection of its original self, when it was the star attraction in a large movie theatre, to its current better-than-original state.
“With its 100th birthday coming up soon, I am arranging a series of very special events, all at reasonable prices, to show the theatre pipe organ off at its best in a range of shows to appeal to everyone, from turning the clock back to its original purpose of playing for silent films, through being an out and out solo entertainment instrument, playing music from musicals, films, novelties and popular songs of the day, to events where you will here it play jazz with singers and bands and accompanying variety stars.
“I hope everyone will come along to enjoy these varied shows, details of which can be found at www.ryetheatre.co.uk or by calling me on 01424 444 058 or email r.fm@btopenworld.com”
Image Credits: Alan Crotty , Kt bruce .