Photo Info

Taken on: February 14, 2023

Uploaded on: August 16, 2024

Size: 916.6 KB

Views: 286

Full EXIF: View all

License:

The Majestic Theatre, located near the corner of Flinders and Russell Streets, was built by Amalgamated Pictures Ltd., and opened on 31 August, 1912. [Thorne, Ross, Cinemas of Australia via USA, p. 215]

Music for the silent films was provided by “the grand opera orchestra”. [TableTalk, 9 September, 1912, p. 16.] In 1916, after Amalgamated Pictures had been incorporated in Union Theatres, the theatre was refurbished and upgraded to the latest standards:

There will be no screen! At least not a visible one. the audience will seem, to be looking out of a huge doorway formed by the proscenium. Where the stage was will be an elevated verandah, vine-covered and flower laden. Across this, glowing in the evening sunset, stretches a vast panorama of river, mountain and forest. A fountain spar-kles in the foreground. At the appointed time the eve-ning fades to darkness, and, out yonder over the sleeping hill and dale, a vision will appear - the play is on.

Table Talk, 9 September, 1912, p. 16.

No organ was yet provided to enhance this idyllic effect, but this was to come in the autumn of 1919, when a four-rank, Style 135, Wurlitzer arrived. It had been despatched from America, as Opus 202, on 21 January, 1919.

The Style 135 was an updated version of the Style 1 (an example of which had been installed at the Melba Theatre, Melbourne, a couple of years earlier) and was basically built to the same specification.

The organist most associated with this instrument, and who possibly opened it, was Will Westbrook, who was its resident organist for many years. Despite the organ’s modest size, his performances on it drew much praise:

Mr Westbrook’s organ recitals are much appreciated by those who arrive early, and also those not wishing to take advantage of the interval to go outside.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -