A UNIQUE ORGANIST

Evening Star, Issue 20988, 30 December 1931, Page 6

A UNIQUE ORGANIST

ACCOMPANIES HIS OWN SINGING MR P. CULLEN FOR EMPIRE A young New Zealand organist, Mr Paul T. Cullen, has just concluded phenomenally successful engagements at the De Luxe Theatre, Wellington, and tho Regent Theatre, Auckland, and has now been signed up to play the Christie unit organ at the Empire Theatre here. Mr Cullen has a keen sense what the public wants, together with a profound Knowledge of tone-colouring and novelty effects. Considering that he is the only New Zealander to hold the position of picture theatre organist, his achievement and popularity are somewhat unique. A ‘ Star ’ reporter dropped into the Empire Theatre yesterday, and enjoyed a short chat with Mr Cullen, who was practising on the Christie. Mr Cullen was born at Allenton, Ashburton, and received his education at Mosgiel and Wellington. Mr Bernard Page, city organist at Wellington, tutored Mr Cxulen in the art of organ playing, and after mastering the keyboard and stops on a Wurlitzer, he accepted an engagement at the De Luxe, where he played for many months with such success that a visiting authority from America was prompted to say that in his opinion there was no greater exponent in the States. The young organist also created a favourable impression at several Sunday night recitals in the capital city, and stamped himself as one of the best of the younger generation of musicians who have mastered this type of instrument. About six months ago he went to Auckland, where he presided at the Regent console, and with his deft touch and flair for selection endeared himself to the hearts of audiences. Mr Cullen adds a touch of novelty to his appearances with his singing. He sings into a microphone placed on top of the organ, and the voice is then amplified and run through the loud speakers on the stage, so that all parts of the auditorium can hear distinctly, and meanwhile he plays his own accompaniment on the organ.

At his opening performance at the Empire on Friday Mr Cullen will play as the overture ‘ Light Cavalry,’ and later he will bracket two other numbers —one classical and one popular—with vocal x-efrain. Mr Cullen’s weekly programmes of music are sure to enhance the picture programmes provided at this house of entertainment, and the soloist is assured of a warm reception during his stay in the city.