Love your content mate, I'm one of the opera house stage crew and was literally watching the video while Im in the projection room/ spotlight position while waiting on tonight's show to start. 👀😂 Keep up the great work pal.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. What a great job you have. I'm just waiting to get back inside to do the rest of the building.

@rabrocksgaming1620

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe thanks bro, I love my job here, so many amazing shows and events, great to be part of the history too. Hopefully you can get back in soon as there is soooo much more than meets the eye in this building ❤️ Looking forward to seeing more of your videos 🙂

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

@@rabrocksgaming1620 Yeah I still have the empress, Olympia, arena and tunnels to do.

@coxythelegend

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe tunnels you say...

@coxythelegend

2 жыл бұрын

@@rabrocksgaming1620 Nice man! It's something I'm trying to get into myself, did 2yrs at college on theatre & event tech and now at uni doing live event production :D

The machine you're seeing in the Projection Room at 4:51 is a Brenograph, manufactured by the Brenkert Light Projection Company. They were hugely popular in the 1920s, particularly in the United States. It's notable to see a Brenograph surviving in the UK, on top of the fact that they weren't nearly as popular by the 1930s so it clearly survived through the redesign and still remains today. It is a piece of technical theatre history and I imagine there are very few remaining in the UK. Think of it as a dual magic lantern, with identical light sources top and bottom. The spaces where you saw all the levers are where you could insert effects, slides, colours, etc to project those effects onto the stage. Because there were two independent lights and "effects trains" you could smoothly fade between the two, creating transitions say for slide shows, words for song sheets, or effects projected around the edges of the film being projected by the film projectors (think flickering flames surrounding the movie screen for added visual effect in a film like "Towering Inferno"). The levers, lenses, and mirrors at the front allowed for focus and aligned the projected beams as close together as possible, so they projected out from nearly the same position. Please let the staff at BWG know this is a very important piece of technical theatre history, and contact me at historictheatrephotos.com for any more info. Keep up the great work! I hope to visit BWG sometime to include the theatres on my website, so currently quite jealous of you access! -Mike

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. I'll mention it to them next time I'm in filming.

@karengill8234

2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic facts many thanks. …

@srfurley

2 жыл бұрын

The State Grays still had a working Brenograph after it closed and the foyer became a club. The auditorium was still used for occasional organ concerts at that time and the Brenograph was used. It was complete and almost fully functional, though I think they said the motorised feeds had failed and they had to feed the arcs manually. I believe the State has since become a pub, so I don’t know if it is still there. The Projected Picture Trust had one at Bletchley Park but they had to move a lot of stuff out of there a few years ago; don’t know if there is anything there now. I never saw this one working but it had been converted to a modern light source. The Regal Edmonton, London not Alberta, had two Brenographs at one time, but is long demolished. The Loews Jersey Theatre in Journal Square, Jersey City still had two installed when I visited in 2002 but they were inoperable and some parts, including all of the lenses, and the clips which held them, were missing. The Grays one was the only one still working and in original condition, that I saw in fairly recent times, but even that was probably about twenty years ago now. Something I forgot to mention in a previous post which I made was them being used in so-called ‘atmospheric’ theatres to project slowly moving clouds on a painted blue sky.

@Richard_Barnes

Жыл бұрын

Mega interesting, thx 👍🏻What a piece of technology for back then. Wow.

@Mindsi

8 ай бұрын

Worh $$$$$$$$$$$$

The mystery rack at 14:46 will be the xylophone or marimba for the Wurlitzer theatre organ.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. More to come

*OMG* - I had no idea the Winter Gardens was 1) so enormous and 2) so beautiful! I'm proper jealous of your back stage viewing! Also, I feel reaaaly old: at 16:35 on the _Roll of Honour_ it states Tommy Cannon & Bobby Ball appeared in 1985 - so it was 37 years ago I watched them at the Winter Gardens!!

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

I saw them at Butlins in 1993, so you're not that old. Also worked with them on the cruise ships.

@-abacchus

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe Oh, sweet 👍

Brilliant Darren, it’s amazing seeing these areas that we don’t usually get to see

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. Back at the PB very soon for more antics.

@DisneyMarkUK

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe Can’t wait to see what you get up to!

Wonderful to watch. I Love historical theater content!💖💖 Can’t wait to see more! Thank you Darren!! 🙏🙏

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. Plenty more to come

@millomweb

2 жыл бұрын

Theatres are magical quirky places!

The mystery machine is a Brenograph, an effects projector. Each of the two lanterns could project glass lantern slides, or patterned glass plates. The two angled mirrors in front of each unit formed a periscope which brought the two beams closer together so they could go through a smaller port, and one mirror could be tilted in two directions to move the image vertically and horizontally. Four lenses were mounted in a turret and unusually rather than the lenses moving to adjust focus the hanterns together with whatever was to be projected could be racked back and forth. These could project slides, though a separate biunial slide lantern was also installed as well. The Brenograph was often used to project moving coloured patterns on the tabs (curtains) while the organist was playing. Many different attachments were available, such as projecting the ‘bouncing ball’ over a slide with song words for the audience. I have operated one of these; projection isn’t the same without carbon arcs. Brenograph is actually a trade name of Brenkert, an American company. There was also a similar British made machine but I cannot remember the name. The Odeon Leicester Square used to have one, but the Brenograph was more common.

Absolutely fascinating. Didn't want the video to end. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait for the next one. 🙂

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Judith. More to come

Fascinating and fantastic video. You were very lucky to get such a complete tour and the way you've put the video together is a real credit to you. Thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks a lot.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. More to come

Thanks for the superb video telling the amazing story of what can only be described as a stunningly beautiful venue.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. More to come

Really great video. I've visited the Winter Gardens many times, most recently last weekend for the Blackpool Magic Convention. This was my first visit for a few years and I was really pleased to see they have spent some time and money on its upkeep. I'm looking forward to the next part of your visit when I assume you'll pay a visit to the Spanish Hall. That really is an interesting room.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Allan. I have already covered the Spanish Hall in the previous video to this one.

@oranda15

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe Oh, didn't realise. Guess what I'm going to do now?

This reminds me if the old Futurist theatre in Scarborough, shame that was demolished, saw many shows and films there.

Loving this series so glad to see they kept so much of the original equipment like the projectors and power room

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Keith. Yes so much was kept

What a super documentary. This is amazing. What a lot of work and research . Well done. Darren you truly are gifted.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Shirley. More to come

Brilliant video again Darren, just love to see these. Looking forward to seeing more. Thanks again x

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Andrea. Much more to come.

Wow this brings back some good memories! Thank you for the video!

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks drew. More to come

@drewstanaway4058

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe I’m looking forward to it!!

Hi there x just wanted to say how fantastic you are with your content , so informative and I love the old and new photos you used! I’m abit Of a history person especially when it comes to places like Blackpool and you tick every box for me with the way you do your content!!!! Thank you so much for your channel xxx god bless you xxx

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jennylee. Such a nice comment to read. Plenty more to come.

Missed these a few months back, love the Blackpool videos, a place i need to return to in the future 👍

14:45 looks like a xylophone. The metal tubes sticking out towards you (and parallel to the ground) are the resonator tubes that normally hang below the notes on a regular xylophone. You can see the wooden notes just beyond the resonators sticking up, 90 degrees to the floor. Beyond the notes, I would guess this is probably from some sort of automated music machine like a fairground organ that can play itself.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking xylophone, but I wasn't sure.

@philevans4021

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe It will be from the Wurlitzer. Theatre organs always had many more instruments than just pipes owing to the fact they were used during the time of silent films to add not only music, but also sound effects too. Most Wurlitzers include things like a piano, drums, xylophones, marimbas, bells, chimes and many more.

Another fantastic video and tour of the Opera House. Thank you, Darren for the thoughtful tour. Cheers mate.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure

A really great video, fantastic how you get to go where other people can’t. Keep up the good work, many thanks

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Peter. I try my best to show what most don't see. More to come

The Wurlitzer organ in the Opera House is quite an important instrument in the UK and internationally. It is the only original Wurlitzer to be installed in a theatre in Britain (All the rest are were in cinemas or ballrooms). Its unique specification was designed by Empress Ballroom organist, Horace Finch, and includes the only original example of a Wurlitzer Tibia Plena rank in the UK. The organ was shipped from the Wurlitzer factory in North Tonawanda in New York, USA, on 24/4/1939 and is the last new Wurlitzer to be shipped to the UK from the Wurlitzer factory. It was the third last Wurlitzer theatre organ to be built and of those last three, it's the only one remaining in the place it was originally installed and in working order. The instrument you saw in the orchestra pit is a Xylophone and it forms part of the Wurlitzer organ. Here she is in action... kzread.info/dash/bejne/emlst8N8pb3TaLg.html The equipment in the projection room you ask about is a Brenograph and those are very rare to come across. They were used for projecting special effects onto a screen - things like moving clouds, waving flags, smoke, and of course, the pre-show slides and adverts etc. www.magiclantern.org.uk/new-magic-lantern-journal/pdfs/4008508a.pdf The part of the opera house that pushes into the dome is not a fire escape - where would anyone escape to? It's simply there because they had to push into the dome to allow for the corridor leading from the back of the upper balcony round to the front of the balcony, and the stairs to the lower levels. The foyer is from the 1911 Edwardian Opera House. In the centre, it had a domed ceiling, and the ceiling was painted with various scenes in an Italianate style as was traditional. The pillars were finished in a marble effect or possibly scagliola (also the case in the Empress Ballroom). The chairs that were found on eBay were found by myself a few years ago (lucky for the keen-eyed who watch for these things) and I brought them to the attention of the WG trust. The last entry on the original roll of honour goes to Steve Tovey and Cannock Chase Organ Club, who have devoted much of their time and money over the years to the upkeep of the Opera House Wurlitzer (which was almost disposed of prior to 2008 before the aforementioned people stepped in) and the installation of the new organ in the Empress Ballroom.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant. Thanks for clearing those up. There isnt much info around about this stuff and WG didn't seem to know either. So glad for people like you to help.

@OrganMusicYT

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe The only part you could have found information online on is the Opera House Wurlitzer. There's not much on the Winter Gardens website though which is a real shame. There are photographs which aren't publically available (so far) of different parts of the building throughout its history and it's amazing to see the changes. One thing to look out for is the 1950s version of the film "Hindlewakes" which shows parts of the building in their 1950s guise, and some parts which no longer exist such as the Indian Lounge.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

@@OrganMusicYT I've just watched the Hindle Wakes film. Yes lots of scenes in there, I even spotted the Edwardian opera house foyer.

@OrganMusicYT

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe I only ever watched the film just to see the Winter Gardens! Some of the original 1896 Empress Ballroom stage even exists behind the current one. Before the first Wurlitzer was installed in the Empress in the winter of 1934/35, there was a big pipe organ up on the top balcony at the east side (facing onto Leopold Grove) too, you can see it in some photographs from the 1910s and 20s. The Empress was also used to construct the airships during WW1 - there is a photograph of part of one inflated in the ballroom.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

@@OrganMusicYT Fascinating. I haven't researched the empress, indian lounge or the olympia yet. I will be doing soon for when I go back to film.

Wow that’s amAzing love the original features, hidden gems everywhere 😮 the projection room with original stuff so interesting. Brilliant Darren 🤩

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sue

Wow just wow 👏 😍 another amazing and fascinating video, thankyou 😀 Looking forward to the next one! Love these beautiful buildings 💜 xx

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much. More to come

This is brilliant, thanks a lot for your research and hard work. You're doing a grand job. Imagine how many big names have been there over the years and used those Dressing Rooms. We watched The Tower Circus Blackpool on TV in the early 1960s, then our parents took us there. From then on over the next ten years at least, kids could get into seaside shows and see the stars, just with their pocket money. I can remember quite a bit about Blackpool in 1964; the lights, and a massive rocket all lit-up coming up the road. The organ coming up with the organist, probably Reg Dixon. Also had seats for the Circus, the oldest permanent Circus Arena in the world. We saw the Liberty Horses and might even have seen Charlie Cairoli who I know was there that year. Thanks again for a brilliant channel mate.

@AdventureMe

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Elliott

Really enjoyed that, cheers Darren

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Richard

Love it dazza!! Place is just crawling with history.... Looks like you had a blast!!

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

I sure did. More to come soon

Fantastic documentary of a cultural icon reborn. The behind the scenes views, especially of the projection room and stage area were a delight. Well done! Looking forward to the next instalment.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Malcolm. More to come

Fascinating! Blessings and happy thoughts!😇🙏🤳🎬🎥

Brilliant 👍🏻The projection room was great. That old machine! Wow. Am glad they kept that one in. It's far better when these buildings and theatres are kept as close as possible to the original styles. I was scrolling them names on the board for who'd performed there. Love it 🙂

Very interesting video, thank you for sharing

Wonderful, so interesting

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

Love this series. I do love seeing the back stage areas. Looking forward to going to watch a chow knowing what's behind the public areas

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. More to come

Great to see so many original features were kept and the original machinery, still kept and a real part of the history of the Winter Gardens. Always fascinating to watch your videos.

Loving the videos of Winter gdns & Pleasure beach, ive lived in Blackpool 54years now & have learnt more from your videos than anything else. Great work, keep it up maybe the Grand theatre next?

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. Glad they help. The Grand is coming later this year.

Brilliant. Thank you so much Darren l. ……..

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Karen. I.........what?

@karengill8234

2 жыл бұрын

Typo Darren sorry. …..

Thank you, thank you. I thought this was brilliant and I will be enjoying a backstage tour and high tea there on Thursday can't wait! The art deco period touches were a highlight I now know what to look out for! I like the fact there buying back their original chairs on eBay. All the best to you!

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks nick. Hope you enjoy the tour. Let them know you saw the videos and let me know how it was. I would be curious to know what they show you. Drop me a message when you have been.

@nickthomas181

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe Will do,don't forget to check out Hanger 42 Spitfire tour at Blackpool Airport

Great video fascinating place I went to watch my very first live show at the opera house in 1980. It was the shadows still remember as clear as if it was yesterday. Great view and great acoustics.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gareth

One word ... BRILLIANT...

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kevin. Much appreciated

Amazing video so much content, almost a full history. All that equipment left someone must have known people would want to see it in the future

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Yes me lol

Awesome Video Thank You

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. More to come

I'm looking forward to seeing the Empress Ballroom, I spent entire days in there in the late 90s at the NUS conferences, it's been great seeing the bars again in the previous episode.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. More to come

Excellent. Thanks.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. More to come

Fascinating look behind the scenes of these wonderful historic buildings. I had a trip around the Tower years ago with a BT engineer's outing and loved every minute. Many thanks for making and sharing this series.

@AdventureMe

Жыл бұрын

Thanks John

Excellent video, very interesting

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate

Wow blown away ❤❤❤

Thanks Darren.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

Amazing vlog sir

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. More to come

Great video Darren

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

Love the video. Saw Brian Conley there in 2010. Was so high up.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. More to come

Your are so lucky to have experienced going on that stage, backstage and rooms....I don't know what it is about this building but am just taken back with these videos. Thank You so so much x

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I'm really enjoying doing them too. More coming soon.

Enjoyed that mate. Really well done👍

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate

When I was a kid I used to holiday quite often in Blackpool with my parents, I may have been to the Opera House then, though I can't 100% recall. I did, however, go to this theatre around 1980-1981 to see Shirley Bassey in concert. I booked the tickets for us and Fd it up thinking I'd got good seats ... they ended up being in the gods ... ooops! Everything was great though and we really enjoyed the show. I still have the brochure somewhere. Theatres fascinate for some reason, especially the more famous one's

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. More coming soon.

Another great video.very informative.its a shame we have lost so much original architecture of buildings.as the saying goes (they don't make them like they use to).many thanks for the video.stay safe and God bless 🙏👍

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate

amazing video

Lives in Blackpool all my life and learnt more today than I have for the past 19 years 😂

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. Glad to help. More coming soon

The BTH projectors were probably installed in the early ‘50s, possibly when CinemaScope was introduced. The large holder is for an anamorphic lens to stretch the picture horizontally. The ‘trap doors’ are fire shutters; in the event of a nitrate film fire they would drop down in front of the projection ports to fervent the fire from spreading to the auditorium. They could be released manually from the projection room and often from the rear of the auditorium as well from a wire handle in a small red box on the wall. I remember in Saturday morning children’s shows this handle would sometimes be pulled, blanking out the screen. There was also a wire cable running along the front of the projection rom with a fusible link above each machine. If there was a fire this was supposed to drop the shutters automatically.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Stephen

great vid as usual! just shared it to the old cinema buildings group on FB as sometime the Opera house is often thought of as a live stage show venue and folks forget once upon a time it used to show films too and im glad that its been restored / refurbished and once again will be / has been showing films like it used to do!

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!! Yes it was as much a Cinema as a Theatre back then, and like you say. It is again now.

Very interesting and fun too, thanks Darren.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. More to come

Great tour of winter gardens lots old past very big place enjoy watch it have done Blackpool tower behind scenes yet great video videos

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Not yet. I'm working on getting in.

Another Fantastic Blackpool vlog Darren. Like thousands I have seen numerous shows there. Just 2 wks ago we went to watch Burn the Floor with Kevin Clifton. I have been on the stage many yrs ago and remember most of the changing rooms & under stage passages. My dads dad use to press the button in the ball room, to send Reginal Dixon up playing the worlitzer. Can't wait and really looking forward to your next Blackpool vlog. Your the best on here!!

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. Many more incoming.

Something I want to ask? With such a history around the building has there been any mention about ghosts? I've been happily waiting for this new video and I wasn't disappointed! Roll on next week for the next one!!

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

The next one will be a while. I'm still waiting for permission to get back inside so I can get the footage. Yes lots of stories of spooks in here, most haunted covered it multiple times. I never saw anything untoward though.

@petergibson6563

2 жыл бұрын

Every theatre in the country has ghosts, apparently!

@johnturner1073

2 жыл бұрын

Around the Wurlitzer, I'm sure I saw what the 'haunted TV programmes' call orbs! Tricks of the light?

Thank you so much for such a wonderful super-interesting video. What a stunning building with lovely art-deco features. Fabulous! What a shame these building skills seem to have been lost now. Look forward to more, many thanks.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Eliz. There's 7 more already on my channel and another two to come.

That was unexpected to see wonderful the room lost in time great tubes and great overlays your a expert at doing m8

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

The old spotlight at the 5' mark looks like a carbon arc unit. They worked with consumable electrodes and a bright spark between the two, gently winding them in as they vapourise. They run super hot, so there's probably good ventilation for the projection room (even if blocked off now!)

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Yes there was a big ventilation shaft above.

Absolutely loved that,to me the best bits are the ones that are not open to the general public.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

They always are. That's why they are so hard to get in and see.

What a spectacular building thanx for that, I believe Blackpool has a lot of hidden Jems all over town. Keep up your good work 👍 thanx again

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Yes they do. And hopefully I'll be bringing more to you very soon.

Another fantastic tour of yesteryears buildings and theatres. Been a while since I was in Blackpool, this and the pleasure beach video, makes me want to go back this year. Keep up the good work!

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. More to come

Been waitng for this one patiently

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

And ye shall receive lol. Will be a while until the next one though, haven't filmed them yet.

@ianhill20101

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe thanks fella keep informative content coming, too chap.

Another fascinating video, brings back many happy memories. What a building!

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dave. It is spectacular

Fascinating content, thank you

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate

The device you spotted in the orchestra pit, is the Xylophone for the Wurlitzer Organ - unenclosed outside of the chambers that contain the pipes for the organ (These are just behind it, you may have seen the shutters)

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching.

Another excellent video! Fascinating seeing everything behind the curtain

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate

Ultravox " 1983 " , one of the most surprising great gigs i went in my ! peed off / post JAPAN breaking up days , the gig was incredible full to capacity, Midge Ure was on fire , amazing acoustics, think it was " Lament Tour! or Rage in Eden, but it is a special place, i saw many #REAL STARS , there from 75 onwards. people ask why doesn't Blackpool have shows like that now,,,,,,,, simple ,,,,,,,,, " NO ONE is or will ever be that good again .........................

Ahh, Frank Matcham, the undisputed king of theatre design - !

Another great video Love your enthusiasm, like a kid in a sweet shop. Can’t wait to see the next one 😀

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Yes that's me. I'm loving this place. Cheers

Brilliant again mate 👍

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks matey

Simply brilliant dissolves, Darren. That takes a lot of effort to get right: well done, mate! 👍

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

It sure does. But I love doing them in the videos.

The musical frame, could be part of the Opera houses piano section of the Wurlitzer 3/13.....the Wurlitzer here at the opera house was the last complete Wurlitzer to come into England in 1939...its console layout as seen beneath the blue tarpaulin was played for the first time by Reginald Dixon and Horace Finch...........Horace designed the revised layout and console for the Empress ballroom Wurlitzer when it was updated to match the Tower one and indeed the Empress ballroom Wurlitzer was the first Wurlitzer installed in the Tower ballroom in 1929...Reg Dixon found the two keyboard smaller piped system was not loud enough for the new dance era so he designed a new keyboard manual layout and increased to 13 the power house..........The two keyboard 1929 set up moved up to the Empress ballroom along with Horace Finch who had been chief soloist with the Tower band and he began designing the organ set up to resemble the new one at the Tower..........if anything because the Empress organ was on the stage in the middle of the dance floor, thats to say on the Adelaide street side of the ballroom the music resounded so much better than at the Tower. My abiding memory is of 1955 hearing "Love is a many splendored thing" being played there, with the back doors open for air the music wafting out to Adelaide street......The Empress Wurlitzer came out in 1969 bought by the BBC and moved to Manchester...like the Opera house one it came up from the basement stage pit on a platform, the panel on the stage slid open then soon after the organ would rise.......keeping the console beneath the stage protected the Wurlitzers .....but the Tower one didn't have a pit to live in until 1957......in 1956 a fire started in the rooms below the ballroom at the Tower...the ballroom floor was destroyed and the organ console damaged and burnt in areas ..........they turned to the Opera house organ for spares and the big piano section of the 1939 opera house organ went down to the Tower and some items borrowed for the Tower never came back up to the Opera House....As a new fire precaution a pit was created for the Towers 1934 Wurlitzer and the old sliding rails it ran on till 1956 are still used to slide the modern electric Wersi organ used often today.

@AdventureMe

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Stuart

I like to see old theaters get new life here in Reading Pennsylvania USA we just restored an old theater it's still beautiful like it was in the old days

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I think they are starting to be recognised now.

another great video. im going to see Tim Peake there this coming week

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Enjoy. More to come this Sunday.

Great video! Sorry you didn't venture into the Wurlitzer pipe chambers.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

They were having work done that day, so couldn't. But maybe on my next visit.

Brilliant video. More please 😄

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Babs. More coming

IIRC from various articles, it originally had dressing room space for 200 spread over 7 floors! I think the organ chambers are under the front apron of the stage - the swell shutters form part of the back wall of the orchestra pit.

Brilliant

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Anthony.

Fab video! Going back to Blackpool next week so revisiting your channel to complement my trip! 👌🏻

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant. When you going? I'm back there soon.

@hyperballadbradx6486

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe Fri 26th March. Good old tourist excursion 🍻

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

@@hyperballadbradx6486 For how long?

@hyperballadbradx6486

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe Until Sunday! :)

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

@@hyperballadbradx6486 Ahh I'm going out there Sunday night for the next couple of days.

I usually visit Blackpool every October, have done for about the last 20 years since I was about 8, and I've missed the last two years with Covid. Watching your videos has made me even more excited to go back. Sorry for commenting constantly :')

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

No mate. I love the comments. The more the better.

Just a superb tour of the Opera House.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

That was fantastic. I used to own a Wurlitzer many years ago but not nearly that big. Wouldn’t I love to play it. The whole place was gorgeous and I loved seeing it. Thanks so much. Please stay safe and take care

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Bet that was fun. I wouldn't know where to start.

@cool110

2 жыл бұрын

You can pop across the road to the Tower Ballroom and book an hour on theirs.

Hi Darren, absolutely fascinating video, well done Steve

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate. I like exploring anything behind the scenes.

Great video - we visit here most months as its such a great nostalgic place. What about the paranormal and ghost activity in a future video ?

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

I was hoping to see some, but not a thing. If there's any to be discussed it will be on the next parts.

I was there for Peter Kay too, right at the back of the stalls though. Saw League of Gentleman Live there too around the same time and Little Britain. Great memories of that place and the numerous concerts in the Empress Ballroom.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

I remember it well. Think it was mid 2000's.

@jordanrowland6269

2 жыл бұрын

Yup, I was in the stalls for Peter Kay as well. Roy Walker was sat behind us! Was also there for The League of Gentlemen.

I’m utterly riveted!

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate

@countesscable

2 жыл бұрын

@@AdventureMe It’s Madam! 😂👍🏻

Another great vlog Darren some nice overlays and info.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Scott

I had a friend who was a projectionist who spliced films. He would take out stills of trolleybuses and mount them in 35mm slide mounts. Lovely look behind the scenes.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bob

Love this channel ❤

@AdventureMe

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Robert

Wow! What an impressive theatre! As someone who loves theatre this excited me! Really enjoyed it! I came to it by a group Im in on Facebook called Kaleidoscope so looked from their link to this there

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Katie. It's very impressive

I have been waiting for the 2nd video of this...gonna get me tea and watch

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Enjoy.

Wow! What a fascinating video! And a fascinating building! keep these videos coming! As others have probably said it looks like a xylophone!

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks mate

Superb stuff Darren, lovely to see original projectors still in place, I paused to look at the roll of honour board and was surprised that Tommy cooper was not on it ,I see some acts on it twice like Joe longthorne.

@AdventureMe

2 жыл бұрын

I think it was only headliners of that year or residencies. I'm sure Tommy was there. I'll have to look now.