The Install

January/February 2025

In February Richard and Peter crossed the ditch and completed a substantial amount of work. All the organ pipes are now installed, rough tuned and playing. Three pipes have gone to Melbourne for repairs, not bad out of nearly 1000 pipes in storage for 10 years.

Richard's comments, " ...so happy with the progress - getting all the reeds installed and rough tuned with the percussions well on the way is such an achievement. There is still lots to be done....lots of homework to move the project along!"

Peter's comments "It was quite a moment (again!) when we finally had all the pipework installed – and a near empty shipping container! Richard carefully cleaned and inspected all the reeds before they went “upstairs” for installation. We were a little thwarted by the activities in resurfacing the stage floor. It took twice as long as was anticipated, so we had limited time to get the reeds into some sort of tuneful shape. We tuned well into Tuesday evening to give them all some attention. We'll follow up soon with another message suggesting what should be done in the days and weeks ahead to settle everything down and fix up the bugs. It’s what the Americans call a “punch list”.

January saw us buying a new motor to drive the blower. The old reconditioned blower wasn't quite powerful enough. After much discussion and debate, it was thought wiser to buy a new motor with excess capacity, rather than push the old one to do something it was not designed to do.

October 2024

Richard and Peter's last visit leaves us with the organ being playable. We now have 7 ranks working. These are the flue ranks. We have wind trunking running to the percussion chamber and to the backstage area where there will be unclosed percussions. The organ has now been tuned and is now playable albeit very "raw". This has allowed us to prove that the organ is capable of reaching the theatre all the way to the back.

Future work: On the next visit Richard and Peter and I intend that we strip down all of the reed pipes of which there are hundreds and clean each individual reed before they go back into the organ. We can in the meantime commence installing percussions. Unfortunately, the theatre is booked up until the end of the year so its a matter of dovetailing in where we can. We can also continue to work on wind leaks and cyphers which will continue for quite some time.

The main blower is producing far more wind volume than we require but it is producing insufficient pressure. It is producing 13.5 inches of wind and we require a minimum of 15 at the Tuba. 17 inches at the blower is sufficient but 19 would be ideal.

July/August 2024

We now have SEVEN ranks playing.

In the solo chamber we have Tibia, Solo String, String Celeste, on the main chest. On the offset we have the Tuba and 8 foot Tibia.

In the main chamber we have Violin, Diapason, Violin Celeste, Flute. This gives us seven ranks on the main chests. On the offset we have the Diaphone Open Diapason, Bourdon.

Yet to be completed are the clarinet, Tromba , Vox, Tuba, Orchestral Oboe, Kinura and Post Horn.

Let's quote Peter Hosking, one of the Organ builders,

"You, like us, must be delighted that at last something is playing and sounding, at this early stage, pretty damn good! How it was going to sound in the Playhouse was one of the bigger unanswered questions both in your minds and ours. That question has been answered".

The moment of success almost arrived when we weren’t looking. We have all toiled away for a long time and then suddenly you find yourself at the stage of putting in some pipes and heck, we could actually get the thing to go! "

And from Richard Larritt, "..... gratified and delighted with the progress on the organ. Peter’s words are so so true about the reinstallation project. The moment just arrived with no warning and we know ecstatic doesn’t cover everyone’s feelings and anticipations....a great deal of thanks and appreciation for all the work done by others who contribute to the installation."

2024 - Pre-visit

At Richard's request John Palmer, John Swales and myself cleaned out the storage container. We managed to dispose of about 600 kilos of things we didn't need. At the request of the Playhouse we have moved the pipe crates from the green room into the container as they will be using the green room for filming for a TV series.

We have done more work on regulation of the Organ and have managed to increase wind pressures to within two inches of where they need to be. We have also built a bridge across the main wind trunking leading to the solo regulators to help protect it.

Before Richard and Peter return we hope to have the wind pressures where they need to be we are continuing to work on cyphers and wind leaks.

John Swales has replaced the battery for the power relay unit in the Console. it is working correctly.

The Piano Console bench is still missing.

2024 - Funding

Lottery Environment and Heritage gave us a Grant of $51K.
The American Theatre Organ Society gave us a Grant of $21K.

These two Grants, together with the many individual donations from our Friends of the Wurlitzer support group, will enable us to complete the Project.

2024

It was disappointing to have our funding application to The Trusts Community Foundation declined. However, the good news is that our organ builder Richard Larritt and his trusty sidekick, Peter Hosking, return end of July to continue the installation. Patience is our best friend as we edge closer and closer to the finish line.

2024 - Open Day at the Playhouse

The Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre held an Open Day on Saturday 2nd March with the resident drama group, Playhouse Theatre Incorporated and us of course. Chairman James Duncan showed video clips of past shows. We had the Organ Console up and the Organ Chambers open for all to see and enjoy. Our photo shows, Neil (Organ Curator and Project Manager), James (Chairman) and Bill (Trustee).

December 2023

We set up a window display at Glen Eden Library, December 2023. The Library is our close neighbour just across the road from the theatre. They were delighted to hear from us and know that the installation was progressing well.

December 2023 - Ian McHardy

It is with great sadness that we learn that Ian McHardy, has passed away. Ian, through his Western Districts Community Foundation, has made a significant contribution to the the cost of the Organ installation. We are so grateful for his generosity.

Thank you Ian. Rest In Peace.

November 2023 - Another Milestone Reached

Peter’s scheduled departure back to Adelaide has left us with another milestone reached.

The organ and the console have been connected together so that they can talk to each other electronically. Despite being out of service for seven years or more the relay system and combination action systems have fired up and are working correctly with testing carried out so far on Console keys and stops which are corresponding to the respective chests and organ pipes.

The second to last regulator has been installed and all offset pipes now have wind and are speaking. Peter has left us homework. When he and Richard visit next we will commence installing the pipes on the manual chests

November 2023 - Fully winded

The Organ now fully winded and more than a few leaks fixed. We look forward to one of our Organ Builders, Peter Hosking from Adelaide, returning in November. Our Givealittle page is being reopened so you can join us in completing this wonderful project.

October 2023 - Regulators, blowers and fencing

We hope to install the final regulator for the Organ and to begin to wind the offset ranks back to the small blower before Richard Larritt and Peter Hosking return to New Zealand. At this stage, Peter returns to New Zealand for two weeks, 4th November. The theatre is booked over that time, but we will work together to try and fit times around other bookings.

We also need to install fencing around the blowers. We could possibly do this with pool fencing, which would be relatively cheap and effective.

October 2023 - Blowers and screws

In discussion with Richard Larritt, our Adelaide Organ Builder, we are not going to cut the hole through from the blower room to the green room at this time. Richard had suggested that we wait and see where the organ is pulling wind from and whether or not the blowers get too warm and then make a decision about cutting the hole through. Currently the green room can still be used with both blowers running. They produce a low rumble in the room which allows for normal conversation.

During installation we have discovered that multiple brass inserts that hold the screws for the bottom boards are missing. They have been replaced with ordinary brass screws to hold the bottom boards in situ. I would like to make inquiries to see if we can purchase more brass inserts. We will need approximately twenty. It is a relatively simple job to drill out the holes, insert 12 millimetre dowel and to drill out the dowel eight mils and insert brand new inserts. This can be done at any time when the theatre is quiet, and we have the time. This will help to prevent leaking in the future. We have already used this method to tighten up brass inserts that were loose in the bottom boards.

October 2023 - Winding

We have spent multiple days systematically going through and finding wind leaks, some big and some small. Currently, the five rank chest is leaking badly through the valves. The valves will need to be reset and we are continuing to do that work. We have stopped the leaking in both of the four rank chests in the solo chamber. Valve leaks are to be expected considering the Organ has been out of the Hollywood for eight years. In normal circumstances, the Organ would have been restored before it was reinstalled. This is not an option for us due to the expense and time that it will take. I have spoken to Richard Larritt. He is not concerned, this is a normal part of reinstallation and we will have to continue to reset valves and clean detritus out of them whenever it appears. This could go on for quite some time. We have also discovered a leak at the top of the main blower expansion box at the flange. We will be able to examine this when we return to the theatre with a small step ladder as it is round the back of the blower. We may find more once the Organ develops more pressure.

Wind pressures are increasing, but we cannot measure them accurately, with the amount of leaking still on the Organ. We are at this stage unsure as to how many inches of wind the main blower is producing. We are beginning to see 10 to 12 inches of wind at some of the chests.

October 2023 - We have commenced regulating the organ

Playhouse Theatre continues to be accommodating with our requirements to access the theatre. Thank you in particular to Alan Burrows and Cherilyn (Theatre Manager).

Main blower has all regulators, tremulants and chests connected. Auxiliary blower still to be connected to the regulator and offset chests.

We have commenced regulating the Organ. We have had significant issues with the Organ leaking. There has been considerable leaking coming from the bottom of the chests, around the seals and the valves. There has also been a lot of leaking in the new wind lines. We are currently working extensively to stop the leaking.

August 2023 - Work still to complete

Install percussions

Run windline to percussion chamber

Wind regulation

Install 2 trems

Install 1 winker

Install I regulator

Connect windlines, offset chests to last regulator

Connect data cable from relay board to console

Install vacuum pump for piano

Connect piano to relay system

Wire swell shades and trems to relay board

Install rack boards for manual chests, some will need to be remade

Install manual chest pipes

Voicing, as required

August 2023 - Completed tasks

New lift installed and running

Console in situ on the lift

Both blowers installed, checked and running

All wind trunking installed including new wind trunks

Most regulators installed

4 tremulants installed

1 winker installed

All pipe chests installed on new legs

Pipe chamber windlines connected from regulators to manual chests

Offset windlines installed to sub chamber awaiting connection to regulator.

Pipe chests wired from chests to relay board.

New vacuum pump for piano obtained and onsite

Pipe chamber swell shades installed.

New rectifier installed and wired to relay system.

Offset pipes installed

August 2023 - SHE'S ALIVE AND BREATHING

We have reached another milestone in the installation of the Organ. This video shows the wind connected from the main blower via the wind trunking [the metal pipes and long wooden boxes] to the main regulators. Once the blower started all the regulators “stood up” along with the two connected winkers. In the left hand side of the video, Richard Larritt, our Organ installer from Adelaide described these events as “very promising.” Also now connected to the regulators are the windlines for most of the Organ chests [the white pipes rising vertically] which means wind is available at the toeholes which is what the many Organ pipes sit in.

There is a lot of wind noise in the sub chamber currently due to leaks caused by a winker [baby regulator] and two tremulants still to be connected. Connecting these is the next job on our list.

Since this video was taken We have brought the second blower online. Trunking is in situ and it is ready to connect to the regulator.

Richard and Peter from Adelaide have returned home. They have left us homework which includes attaching one regulator, one winker and the last tremulants, regulating the wind and going on a hunt for any wind leaks.

February 2023

The project has moved on at considerable speed. Richard and Peter have made two visits and Peter has made a solo visit and is currently with us to get more wiring work done. We are currently approximately two thirds of the way towards completing installation for the pipework.

The current plan is to get all the pipework completed and then move on to installing percussions. This will allow the Organ to be played in a non show situation which will allow the pipework to “bed in” while percussions are installed. Once the Organ is playing Shows it will be more reliable with less ciphering. Hopefully once percussions are installed the Organ will be ready to go.

Currently the pipe chests are installed on their legs. Tremulants and one regulator left to be secured.

Most sixteen foot pipes are in situ. Two are still to be located.

Relay unit is mounted in the workshop area. It will need to have covers made to keep it protected from being knocked. Wiring is run between the pipe chests and relay unit. Terminations are completed at the chest ends and Peter is working on terminating at the relay end. Main cable from relay unit to console still to be run. This will probably require extending.

Most wind lines are now run from the chests with some already connected to the regulators.

Wind trunking will be a combination of wood and plastic. The blowers will be reconfigured as the large one has been working to capacity and the smaller one has carried a very small load.

Large blower will blow most pipework.

Small blower will blow all the static wind and the offset chests.

Hole is to be cut through for the wind trunking to get from the blower room to the sub chamber

October 2022

Peter Hosking and Richard Larritt, Adelaide Organ builders were very impressed with the chambers in terms of size and quality. They bring to our project many decades of installation experience. They feel that although the Organ is at the back of the stage the sound will easily reach the audience. They were also very happy with the work the Auckland team has done up to now.

Over the course of their eleven days we were able to install all the manual chests. Diapason, tibia, bourdon and diaphone offset chests are installed including pipes. Tuba is still to be installed. Some of the holes have been cut in the floor between pipe chambers and the sub chamber in readiness for wind line and wind trunking installation.

We have also installed and secured several of the regulators in the sub chamber.

Overall, much more work was carried out than Peter and Richard had anticipated. It has left the Auckland team in a position where we can potentially do a lot of work in their absence.

They have designed the final winding plan for the Organ.

In their absence their expectation is that we will have installed the wind trunking and windlines and have the Organ fully winded for their return in January. Bottom boards which were sent to Melbourne for rewiring have returned to Auckland. Neil Hunter in Melbourne has made the wiring of the Organ much simpler. Richard and Peter are happy for us to also commence wiring the Organ.

Peter is proposing a one week visit from 28th November to look further into the wiring of the organ. Richard and Peter will return from January 10th for two weeks to continue the install.

May 2022

Lottery Environment & Heritage extend reporting on Grant May 2023.

We have now amicably disengaged from Melbourne Organ builders Julien and Mark Arnold.

Our new installers are Richard Larritt and Peter Hosking from Adelaide.

James Duncan, John Palmer and Neil Warrington had a Zoom meeting with them both to lay out what we need and what they can offer in terms of help and expertise.

Richard and Peter will be with us from 17th to 28th September. The 18th will be for them to settle in and also used as a planning day. The theatre is booked from 19th to 27th for our use.

2022 - Funding

The American Theatre Organ Society give us a Grant of $7K for the installation.

October 2021

The current Auckland Covid alert levels have halted Organ work at this stage. There is no access to the theatre and no opportunity for team members to gather to work.

John Swales is completing modifications to the swell shade bumper motors.

Scott Harrison, Melbourne has offered us two weeks in January to come to Auckland and spend time working on the install. Due to MIQ and travel restrictions this is not currently possible. MIQ is only available to returning New Zealanders and essential workers.

Neil Warrington to Zoom Julien to clarify what we can do for ourselves.

August 2021

The pipe chamber swell shades are now in situ

John Swales is modifying the motors as the speed adjustment is on the wrong side of each motor. This is a more suitable option than mounting the motors at the top of the swell shades. Action motor frames will need a modification as they butt against the Centre wall which is angled. One side of each frame will need to be altered to match the angle of the centre wall.

The new covers for both Consoles are now in situ. These are water resistant and will need a spray of waterproofing over them to ensure that they are waterproof. A fully waterproof fabric wasn’t an option as it would have worn the French polishing on both consoles.

We were given several dates by Alan Burrows where we could be in the theatre. However Covid level 4 has now wiped out these dates. There will be opportunities in level 3 and possibly level 2, to get access to the theatre.

We continue to consider the option of South Island Organ company working with Julien and Mark

February 2021

B and D upholstery has agreed to provide a quote to make a waterproof cover for the organ console and the piano console. These will be made with waterproof, breathable fabric. The upholsterer is experienced at making piano covers and waterproof covers.

We have a meeting with Murray from Vertrans at the Playhouse this coming Tuesday to review the lift in regards to finding a solution that gives the organist complete autonomy over control of the lift.

I have made initial contact with South Island Organ (SIOC), company in regards to them doing part of the install due to Covid restrictions preventing Julien’s team entering New Zealand. They are open to the idea and wish to explore it further.

Julien is also on board but does have reservations, the SIOC has not installed a Theatre Organ before. Julien would guide and assist SIOC remotely. This would be done by phone, skype, email, photos videos, etc. Julien has agreed to provide very detailed instructions of how to install. His main concern is having to redo work later on that is not correct.

October 2020

Neil and Alan reviewed the lift with The Playhouse industrial electrician. Issues were found as follows:-

The emergency stop button in the wings is NOT an emergency stop as agreed with Phoenix and the lift inspector. The button needs to be held in before the lift can operate.

The electrician is able to install an emergency stop button for us to replace the button in the wings. He is able to install a single set of buttons on the console on the left hand side for the organist to operate the lift while playing. This will be a simple up, down and stop. The electrician is also able to set up an extra layer of protection to stop the lift operating when the orchestra pit is open by installing an infra red beam across the organ lift opening.

The bearings for the swell shades will be ordered this week. Once they arrive we can begin installing the swell shades. We are awaiting fabric from Alan to cover the swell shade openings in the meantime. This needs to be fire retardant. Alan has some at the Theatre and is trying to locate it.

June 2020

Work on the installation of the swell shade frame is now complete, bearings for swell shades are on order.

Volunteers to paint organ chamber floors.

Organ to be moved off the stage and into the chambers on Monday 29th June. Movers to assist with this and also collect the last of the organ from the workshop in Mt.Albert . Movers will use a truck with a tail lift to get the blowers downstairs. Playhouse has declined to have containers in the carpark due to the length of time they may be there.

Volunteers to install shutter blades.

Due to Covid and travel restrictions and their own commitments Julien and Mark Arnold have declined to come to New Zealand at this time to commence their part of the install. Alan Burrows (Playhouse Chairman) has penciled in February and March next year as install dates. It is still possible that some of the install could happen this year if the theatre is free and Julien and Mark are able to commit time to it.

Bottom boards have been completed by Neil Hunter and Julien Arnold. They are ready for return to New Zealand and will be delivered to the Theatre.

March 2020 - Covid

Internal walls of Chambers are gibbed. Blower room gibb stopped x 2 awaiting final stopping. Blower room door is on.

The country is in lockdown because of the outbreak of Covid.
- The block wall is cut at the top in readiness for the supporting beam. The block cutters were due to attend on Monday 23rd but due to a staff member being exposed to Covid 19 the company was forced to lockdown early.
- The builders locked down on Wednesday.
- We have the theatre until the end of April due to shows being cancelled until that time. The organ is currently trapped on the stage and we have no access to the theatre during lockdown.

February 2020

Julien Arnold (Melbourne Organ builder) is waiting for the pipe chambers to be completed. Julien and Mark Arnold along with Paul White (Melbourne), will initially spend two and a half weeks on the install when the pipe chambers are complete.

Julien has provided the Trust and Alan Burrows (WPTT) with a layout of the pipe chambers. Alan will work on a plan for the electrical fittings. Mike (Commres Contractors) to provide a time frame for completion of the building.

Alan has asked if the swell shades can be reduced in size to reduce the size of the opening required to install them. As per Julien - builder can reduce the top by 50mm and the sides by 25mm. Builder will install these for us. Julien will mount the Regulators and tremulants 600mm above the ground during the install.

The work on the bottom boards is complete.

Julien and Neil Warrington have purchased most of the tools required for the install.

Julien has requested 80mm downpipes for wind trunking. This is available in New Zealand at most hardware shops.

Graeme Upton, Architect, to liaise with the builder regarding changes to the consented plan. These may also require Auckland Council sign off.

The majority of the organ is now at the Playhouse located on the stage. It can remain there until the end of March. Once the swell shades are in and the building is secure the chambers can be loaded through the openings prior to shutter blades being installed.

John Kleingeld is continuing to follow up with Phoenix Elevators for completion and sign off. We require one relay to be installed, provision of the remote control and inspector sign off.

Items not at the Playhouse
- Bottom boards (Melbourne)
- 5 rank chest
- 1 four rank chest
- Assorted percussion
- X 2 swell shades for the percussion chamber

January 2020 - THE ORGAN HAS ARRIVED AT THE PLAYHOUSE!!!

On Monday 13th January, our wonderful Wurlitzer Organ was moved from storage so kindly provided by MOTAT to the Playhouse Theatre. Many, many thanks from Neil Warrington our Organ Curator to Trustee John Kleingeld, Kevin Reade (Neil’s brother), Bill Ridge and of the boys from Business Relocations who did such a fantastic job for us!

2020 - Funding

Thanks again to Ian McHardy for another generous Grant from the Western Districts Community Foundation of $50K for the installation.

Lottery Environment and Heritage give us a Grant of $30K.

December 2019 - Organ Console and Organ Chambers

Organ Chambers at the Playhouse Theatre are nearing completion. Early 2020 we expect to commence the installation of the 1000 pipes, percussion instruments and sound effects that are this historic instrument.

Since our initial appeal, the Organ Console has been installed at the front of the stage of the Playhouse Theatre.

August 2019

Twenty six bottom boards have been sent to Melbourne to Neil Hunter and Julien Arnold. Neil will rewire them and plug end each board. Julien will finalise the chamber layout and all cable will be cut to the correct length prior to plug ending them. This will significantly speed up the install process at this end and save us install costs.

Comres Contractors Limited is waiting for the power plinth to be moved. Following this the concrete can be poured for the floor and building can continue.

The lift inspector, Clive Snell, John Kleingeld, Alan Burrows and Neil Warrington were onsite at the Playhouse. The lift inspector has accepted us not having barriers around all sides of the lift with the railings at the front of the stage. He is requesting that there is an emergency stop button in the wings closest to the lift and that the lift covers are interlocked to prevent the lift coming up with the lids on. Phoenix elevators will action this.

2019 - Organ Console and Organ Chambers

Ian McHardy, Chairman of Western Districts Community Foundation, donates $50K towards the installation of the Organ.

Our builders, Commres Contractors, have commenced construction of the percussion chambers at the rear of the stage and the Console pit at the front of the stage in the Playhouse Theatre. We have ordered the new lift for the Organ console from Phoenix Elevators; date of installation has yet to be confirmed.

To our dismay our funding application to The Trusts Community Foundation for this work was declined. This decision was about to destroy our efforts to reinstall.

It’s looking good. Thank you all for your continuing support and patience. It’s very much appreciated.

July 2018

A truckload of Organ has been moved to the Playhouse. This includes Piano and Organ Consoles, a selection of eight crates, mainly pipes, and the percussions.

February 2018

The floor of the percussion chamber has been built. Commres Contractors return this month to. install the walls and build the lift shaft.

At the last Playhouse Theatre Inc (PTI, the Playhouse Drama group) meeting it was agreed that we could use the far end dressing room to store parts of the organ. This will help cut down on storage costs.

2018 - Loan

A long time supporter of the Organ lends us $35K to cover the cost of installing the Organ Console on a lift.

November 2017

Memorandum of Understanding between Waitakere Playhouse Theatre Trust and our Trust, as discussed at our meeting 4th September, signed by Alan Burrows, Stan Henshaw, (WPTT) Neil Warrington and John Palmer (WOTA).

April 2017 - Organ Blower

We currently have the main blower with our engineer, Rose Engineering, for refurbishing. We are looking at recasting the main bearing and checking the unit for any more potential problems.

Russ Evans (USA) is kindly sending us dags, valve pins, armatures and spare magnets.

A noise report has been completed for the Playhouse for the resource consent. Advice is approximately 95 decibels inside the chambers and 85 decibels at the back of the theatre with swell shades open.

2016 - The Organ Chambers

The Waitakere Playhouse Theatre Trust has formally engaged architect Graham Upton who will draw up the plans for the Organ chambers and approach Auckland Council for Resource and Building consents. Graham, a member of our Friends of the Wurlitzer (FOTW ) support group, has generously offered his time and expertise, free of charge.

Organ chambers will go right out as far as the stage roller door. Percussions will go on a platform over the walkway at the back of the stage. The console lift will only just fit in the orchestra pit.

Neil Warrington showed WOTA the concept drawings for the Organ chamber space. Neil has met with Alan Burrows at the Playhouse Theatre with Graham Upton, Architect. The Waitakere Playhouse Theatre Trust will formally engage Graham Upton who will draw up the plans and approach the Council.

Organ chamber will go right out as far as the stage roller door. Percussions will go on a platform over the walkway at the back of the stage. The console lift will only just fit in the orchestra pit.

Graham Upton has done a revised drawing for complete addition to the Playhouse Theatre fir the Organ chambers. Julien Arnold, Melbourne Organ Builder, was very happy with the space and is now doing a wind layout for all the trunking that feeds the wind chests and their pipes.

The tech team will work on the Organ, bottom boards need looking at. Neil will work on parts either at his home or the workshop.

We hope to install the Organ between April and July 2017 !!!

The issue of the size of the blower room is now resolved. The wall between the blower room and workshop will be left down during the construction. The blowers will be placed in situ, wiring and wind lines connected and then the wall will be put up in a place that suits us. Graham Upton, Allan Burrows and Julien Arnold are happy with this solution.

Julien and Mark Arnold are donating new bottom board armatures and gaskets valued at A$1200. There are approximately 860 of these to be replaced. These are being ordered from America and will be delivered to us.

Work has commenced on the organ chests. The 5 rank solo chest has been checked over. All pallets removed and inspected. All look in good condition. Motor leathers all good except 1 which is punctured and will be leathered. Pallet pins have been graphite. The felt tips behind the motors are all lifting from the wind line end of the chest and will require re gluing. Some brass inserts were loose and have been able to be rescued. There is a label inside the chest that says it was refurbished in 2004.

2016 - The organ in storage

September 2015 - The Organ leaves the Hollywood

In October 2015, the Hollywood Cinema was sold and the Trust was requested to have the Wurlitzer organ removed. The Organ performed its final show at the Hollywood on Sunday August 30 with USA organist Jelani Eddington at the Console.

August 2015

Waitakere Playhouse Theatre Trust invite us to install the Organ at their Playhouse Theatre in Glen Eden.

Melbourne Organ Builder Julien Arnold visited the Playhouse Theatre. Julien has undertaken to install the Organ in it's new location. He will do chamber layouts for the Playhouse Trust to take to their meeting for their approval.

Top of Page