BBC Midland Console 1957 Charles Smitton

BBC Midland Console 1957 Charles Smitton Playing the Windsor Theatre Compton Organ in Bearwood Smethwick, near Birmingham. Sadly not the best quality recording! But this was recorded on a 1950s reel-to-reel tape recorder off the radio some 66 years ago. The Compton 3Manual/8Ranks organ, and was opened by organist Reginald Maynard on the 29th of September 1930. The theatre also boasted a café for the convenience of its patrons. As well as films, variety acts were part of the programming in the early days, and after World War II had ended, it became a full time live theatre. The final production was the pantomime “Mother Goose” starring Dave Starr which ran for six weeks, and closed the Windsor Theatre on 6th February 1960. The Compton organ was removed from the building and installed in Oxley Parish Church, Wolverhampton. The building stood empty and unused for several years, and was then converted into an ice rink. This was closed in 1973 and the building again remained unused until 1980, when it became a nightclub. This was to be a short-lived venture, which closed in 1982. It was then converted into a snooker club. By 2017 it was a bar, named Windsor Theatre which feature live music acts. By 2021 the building was unused and was put up ‘For Sale’ by auction on 19th May 2021. It is a locally Listed building. Charles Smitton was a fine organist and broadcast on many organs and for many years for the BBC. He is noted for playing the big Queen Wurlitzer in the Paramount /Odeon Manchester where he was resident organist.