DE LUXE THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1927, Page 7

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Although the latest addition to the De Luxe Theatre is known as the WurlHzer organ, it is something more than just an organ. This ; wonderful instrument was used for the first time in public last evening; and its beautiful tone and the ability ■with which Mr. Emanuel Aarons handled it was the subject of much favourable coninient by a very large audience. AJtogether it contains 75 organ and orchestral effects, ranging from the softest whisperings, reminiscent of the harp celeste, to the majestic and powerful tubas and diaphones which, vibrate, through the building; with a sonorous volume of sound. In addition to these; which are heard on all'organs of any pretensions at all, one hears the plaintive notes of. a violin, first -with open strings and then muted to express some deeper musical thought, while ever there creeps in the tone' 'cello, viola, and flutes of various pitch and power, while delightful piccolos add their rippling rhythm to the general ensemble. Orchestral brass and woodwind are represented by horns, 1 oboes, and clarinets, while the novelty reed work is quite a feature. Added to all this one hears the rounded tones of xylophone, glockenspiel, orchestral bells, cathedral bells, and the ensemble is rounded off with a full" set of drums and other effects. To enumerate all the beauties and wonders of this new instrument would be impossible, one must hear it to really realise that here is combined all the music ever thought of, ancient and. modern, and, played by a^ master hand,, it reveals majesty and beauty previously unknown".'. to Wellington audiences. Mr. Aarons chose as his opening piece a pot pourri of grand, opera, "ivith imposing chords and plaintive meoldies'i which was received', with' very loud applause from an appreciative audience. Changing his theme he gave the well-known "Prisoner's Song," which placed an entirely different meaning to a selection which has become -somewhat hackneyed of late. In this was introduced gome very fine chime effects, while the drums also played a very prominent part. Finally the organist crowned his effort by a selection from Gilbert and Sullivan's operas, in which one heard many of the always popular lyrics in a new and delightful manner. Altogether Mr. Aarons was at the console for three-quarters of an hour, during which he used no music but never made a mistake in bringing in the right tone or effect at the right moUA?ll tm V" waa a-very .fine' performance. Although the Wurlitzer organ is the chief attraction on the present programme, the pictures submitted offer excellent entertainment. "Poker Faces" is a comedy of marital troubles in which Laura la Plante is the wife, while the gazette arid "Please Excuse Me do not fail to amuse the audien?e- A matinee is being given daily, at which the organ will be played.