Folly Farm Wurlitzer Theatre Organ

This world famous Wurlitzer Organ originally from the Gaumont Cinema Manchester now entertains visitors to Folly Farm daily

The Wurlitzer Organ is from the Gaumont Cinema Manchester. It is a 4 manual organ (meaning it has 4 keyboards) and 14 ranks (sets) of pipes as well as a multitude of tuned percussions and a Grand Piano. It was opened in October 1935 by Stanley Tudor who remained associated with the organ until 1960.

The organ was used daily during the cinema presentations, as well as being one of the most broadcast organs of the time. Countless recordings were made on the organ while it was in the cinema too, probably because the organ recorded and broadcast very clearly.

Many well known organists have played this instrument over the years including Doreen Chadwick and Jackie Brown to name but two. At the final concert in the Gaumont, world famous organist Reginald Dixon played this Wurlitzer, later remarking that it was the closest in sound to his own wurlitzer at the Tower Ballroom Blackpool.

The organ was purchased by the Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust when the cinema closed, but remained in store for many many years before it's next home at the Granada Studios Tour Complex in Machester was found. The organ was removed from Granada Studios in 2000 when filming commitments made the tours impractical, and was put into store.

The “Mighty” Wurlitzer was picked up from a store in Radcliffe, near Manchester in October 2008 and parts of it were taken to Ben Snowdon's Cardiff workshop to be restored and re-wired (as all of the wiring was cut on removal from Granada studios), while the massive organ chambers were constructed at Folly Farm. The chambers measuring 50ft wide, 14ft deep and 12ft high had to be specially constructed to take the 10 tonnes of organ parts, and were completed by the middle of January 2009. Since then work has progressed at great speed to re-assemble the organ and to make new “wind” lines to convey the air all around the different parts of the instrument. The 1050 individual pipes were carefully unpacked (repaired where necessary) planted and tuned, and the tuned percussions including a glockenspeil, xylophone, vibraphone, chimes and sleigh bells were also regualted. The organ is now complete, and all that remains before the opening is to finish the intricate painting of the console. The organ was played in public for the first time on Saturday 28th March by Paul Kirner, which received a raptuous applause from the crowd that soon gathered and was said to sound better than it had ever done in either of it's previous 2 homes.

Paul Kirner of Compton Lodge in Sapcote, Leicestershire having run a very successful commercial theatre organ venue since 1979 heard that the organ was looking for a new home. Compton Lodge houses one of the countries finest Compton Theatre organs, so Paul was naturally keen to purchase the countries finest Wurlitzer. Paul approached Folly Farm to see if they were interested in providing a new venue for it, and they jumped at the idea of having such a prestigious instrument at their theme park. The Wurlitzer, which has been installed by, and will be maintained by Ben Snowdon, is on long term loan to Folly Farm, where it will be used daily for the enjoyment of many future generations.

The grand opening concert is on Saturday 2nd May 2009, starting at 7. 00pm. The organist for the evening will be the country's number 1 organist entertainer, John Mann. John will play a varied programme of cheerful music on the Mighty Wurlitzer including some novelty pieces and tunes of yesterday, all interwoven with John's friendly banta. Although it is primarily and organ concert there will also be a few piano solos.

This is a significant occasion for the organ world and for Wales too. New theatre organ installations are very rare these days as homes are hard to fine for these large magnificent instruments. This organ was one of the best ever brought to this country and having been in store for 20 out of the last 30 years it is being welcomed with open arms- also this is only Wales' second Wurlitzer and Folly Farm is proud to be able to show it off daily to there many thousands of visitors. It is planned that the organ will be played daily (with the wonders of modern computers, not always needing an organist! ) for the enjoyment of Folly Farm's guests.