The Ritz Penzance
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The Ritz Penzance

Looking at the main hall from the buffet area. I worked here in the 1980's as a bingo caller and it really hasn't changed that much.
The organ was on a piston lift; in a pit under the stage; it was removed ( I seem to remember there is a write up here as to where it went).
It is remarkable just what has been kept in all these years; all the features as I remember them. But the external envelope needs a lot of work, otherwise this plush interior is at risk. This is the finest Auditorium Space in Cornwall. It is also a fine example of Art Deco (as it became to be known).
 
Well acoustically it is perfectly balanced. I remember that you could hear someone speak on main stage from the balcony, but more importantly when the volume was turned up the sound was just as balanced.
Thankfully it's just the same now.
incidentley, St John's hall has very bad acoustics indeed!!
 
Ritz Penzance had a Wurlitzer 3 manuals/9 ranks, which was originally in the Granada Kingston.

http://picturepenzance.co.uk/gallery/penwith-picture-palaces/p13581-proposed-cinema-2c-penzance.html

http://www.cinema-organs.org.uk/UK%20ORGANS/ukorgans.html
 
St.Johns Hall is terrible. I've played on stage there, and no matter how much you alter the baffles, alter the eq on the desk the acoustics are rubbish, I would love to have played on the Ritz stage.
 
the lift is still there and a chain lift, the stage goes over the top but you can access it from the boiler room and would easily work if rewired back in and the stage adapted
 
These are a great set of photos - I've never been inside the building and have often wondered what it is like inside as I've walked past. Thanks for posting!
 
I remember Charles Curgenvan being a regular at the Ritz organ which would come up
out of the pit and Charles had that stirring signature tune from the chorus of the Pirates
of Penzance, there were times when during intermission there would be sing along to
the songs of the day....
 

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