ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
From: Matthew Feldwick, May 2004
This organ was still in situ when I managed to get access to the
building in December last year and as far as I am aware has not been
sold. In the 1960's the church which utilised the cinema had
disconnected some of the more 'theatre' effects but underneath the 1925
organ still exists. The church left the building in 1990 and the organ
has been unplayable since the mid 1990's when the heating tank froze and
on thawing flooded the chambers.
Unfortunately on my last visit I was unable to get to the chambers
(debris in the way etc) but the console looked intact.
From: John Smallwood, May 2005
My involvement goes back to about 1974, when a railway group succeeded in booking the place for
an evening film show, including silents accompanied on the Wurlitzer by David Hamilton.
We were charged the princely sum of £150! If my memory serves me right, the programme attracted about 700 people.
Thereafter, most years until 1992, when the Adventists surrendered the lease and the theatre went dark,
we continued to present similar and successful shows every December.
Over this period we spent countless hours on the organ, and by 1992 virtually everything still there was playing.
I reckon it probably sounded as good as it ever had - vide David Shepherd's COS cassette recorded just before
the doors closed.
There was a heavy timber cover to the console, which took at least two to move.
It served a dual purpose in acting as an intermediate staging point when they wanted to move the grand piano
to or from the stage. Despite this, David Lowe is also right - there was a regular organist for the Adventists,
and the organ did get regular use.
Basically, in 1953, the traps unit went, as did the Chrysoglott, sleigh bells and second touch.
The Chimes, Glock and Xylophone remained, but we had to re-connect the Xylo.
A snare Drum was also working off a toe piston.
The console back board and associated pneumatics also went, and the horseshoe was re-specified to
cater for what remained. Also octave and sub-octave couplers were added. There were no changes to the pipework.
Over the past six years or so, when the electricity was cut off, the place got more and more damp.
Of course the roof leaked over the chambers, and water has been running down the Solo shutters.
Somehow it also got into the main chamber and into the relay, causing some major problems.
I last played it about six years ago, when it still sounded quite sweet, but when we got a
temporary supply back on last autumn, I think we got about three notes to play from the console. Very sad.
Very good progress is being made with completely re-leathering the organ.
Everything we could take out of the chambers to work on was taken out, as heavy work was to be
undertaken in the theatre in preparation for its new life as Habitat's new London HQ store
(all closely supervised by English Heritage). Soon we will be ready to re-install everything,
and hope to have the organ playing properly by the autumn - including the restoration of as much as
we can of the 1953 removals. BUT we still need a toy counter, Chrysolglott and the working parts of
the backboard.
Exactly what the future will hold, we don't know, but there are encouraging signs that Habitat
will take an interest in using the organ. The Wannamakers of London?
From: Matthew Feldwick, June 2005
I am heavily involved with the restoration of a 2/8 Wurlitzer, Opus 1034, the former New Gallery Cinema,
Regent St., London.
It appears that 80 years of London smog had not been kind to the instrument; leather turns simply to dust.
Since the Seventh Day Adventists vacated the site in 1992 the organ was rarely played. With the
building being left empty and it instrument unmaintained decay quickly set in.
The worst moment came sometime in the winter of 1995/96 when the heating tank, situated above the
chambers froze and burst. Problems with the structure of the building meant that it was unsafe to enter.
Having known the building during my childhood in the eighties (which gives some notion as to my young age) I
was always interested in its fate. The building was grade II listed and put on the buildings at risk
register. Included in this listing was the Wurlitzer.
In December 2003 I managed to gain access to the dark building to check up on the instrument and the
rest of the interior finding that despite the fact that someone had been sleeping in the chambers
everything was in remarkable order.
Following conversations with the landlords it became apparent that the building was to be returned
to use by the end of 2005
- not as a cinema, but as a chain store, and that they needed a company to restore the Wurlitzer.
A quick call to a few friends, 'in the know', and the formation of a company let to the contract
for restoration being awarded to us in November 2004 with the proviso that the instrument should
be playable in November 2005 for the new shop opening. Hence we are working flat out to get everything
done in time! Since we are being paid to undertake this we are able to devote the recourses we can
normally only dream of in such restorations.
The organ is currently missing most of its traps and second touch since these were removed in its
rebuild when SDA moved in. The organ was not moved at all rather the console was repositioned
centrally rather than at stage left.
Second touch is being reinstated under the manuals even as I write and we are working on a number of
other issues including the placing of the console on a lift since the inclined floor of the
auditorium has been levelled which would otherwise leave it at the bottom of a rather dark pit.
Traps are slowly being gathered which are suitable for a model F.
Biggest problem so far is trying to convince contractors on site that the organ is more than just the console!
From: John Smallwood, April 2006
This Friday 28th April 2006 the New Gallery, Regent Street re-opens in its
re-incarnation as Habitat Furniture Stores Flagship London Store, complete
with working Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.
As part of the opening weekend celebrations, the Wurlitzer will be played
frequently on Friday (Richard Hills), Saturday (David Lowe), Sunday (Keith
Beckingham) and Monday (Richard Hills). Thereafter, from Tuesday to Sunday
for three weeks it is planned that the organ will be played daily at lunch
time. After that, Habitat will decide what the future format will be.
For the record we have done our best in overhauling the instrument to
restore it to as near as possible original specification, involving the
sourcing of a replacement Chrysoglott and Toy counter, re-locating the
console and restoring it. Second Touch, which was removed in 1953 has also
been restored. We have retained the couplers added in 1953. A new main cable
has been made up and fitted, as well as virtually a complete re- leathering
of the organ. And, yes - it still has its original relay - no computers
here! But that's another long story!
If it interests the customers, perhaps we will have taken a big step towards
bringing the theatre organ to Mr Average.
From: Matthew Feldwick, June 2006
After a protracted restoration which included a full re-leathering and replacement of missing
Chrysoglott and traps the New Gallery Wurlitzer is once again entertaining the crowds of London.
The cinema has been converted to form a Habitat store but the English heritage listing of the
instrument means that it remains in the building in a playable condition.
Currently the organ is played for shoppers three times a week (Thursday 1 - 1.45, Sat and Sun 4pm - 4.45pm.)
and has been very well received by public and staff alike.
It was opened by Richard Hills on 28th April 2006
From: Richard Hills, August 2007
As of the first week in August, the New Gallery/Habitat Wurlitzer performances will move to a
new time of 11am on Saturday mornings.
As the store is quieter at this time, it should be possible for the Wurlitzer to be heard to
greater effect, with fewer distractions from the general noise of merchandising!
Likewise, we hope that by moving to weekends even more people will be able to come and enjoy the music.
So, if you have not yet experienced the magical, warm tones of England's most historic Wurlitzer,
please put Saturday mornings in your diaries.
Admission is, of course, free, and Habitat can be found at
The New Gallery, 121 Regent Street, just up from Piccadilly Circus.
Nearest Tube stations are Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street."