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For this arcadian tableau, 13 musicians were on stage. Hoyts Archives.

Winds of Change The dismantling process began 16 there. In March 1930, Mitchell's
Television came to Brisbane in February 1964. It was re-assembled in orchestra came under the direction of
1959. The decline in audience numbers a music room at Dr. King's home. Ned Tyrell who remained at the Regent
was just as sudden as in the southern Concerts were held there in the 1960s, until 1940.
States. The WurliTzer, which had but in its last years it was barely The last resident orchestra played
entertained tens of thousands for more playable. under the baton of Will Quintrell. It had
than a generation, went silent in 1962, The death of Dr. King prompted been sequentially reduced in size until
coinciding with the retirement of Les negotiations to bring the organ back to by this time it comprised 16 musicians,
Richmond . Further use of the organ Brisbane and install it in a new arts almost half of the original number. Will
was spasmodic; sometimes Reg Ives development on Brisbane's South Bank. Quintrell and his Royal Squadron
was featured, but there were no funds At the time of writing restoration to as- Syncopators was the only band to use
for repairs. new condition is underway, a happy the new, elevated orchestral stage,
In 1963, approaches were made to ending for a unique instrument . installed in 1941. The platform was
Hoyts Theatres to allow the sale of their The Regent Orchestra. electro-mechanical, using the screw
surplus theatre organs. Two were jack principal. Why an elevated
Ernest G. Mitchell and his orchestra
available, one in Sydney and one in orchestra platform was not included in
of 30 musicians was brought to
Brisbane. The late Dr. Keith King of the original design is not known.
Brisbane for the opening, and stayed
Lawson in the Blue Mountains, New Bandleaders must have protested its
for four months. The orchestra pit was
South Wales was successful in his bid absence, as it was a feature used in the
not on a lift, so the orchestra was
for the Brisbane organ. Before it was southern states.
divided into two divisions for many
removed, the local branch of the Although the sight of a band rising
performances. A small pit band,
Theatre Organ Society organised a out of the pit was a novelty for
conducted by Bill Lewis played during
concert at the theatre in November Brisbane audiences, it only lasted until
the interval.
1963. It was to be the last time Les January 1943 when the group
Special stage presentations often
Richmond played the WurliTzer. For disbanded. The reason may have been
featured the whole orchestra on stage.
many people, memories of the man and the man-power shortage of the war
The band also supported vaudeville
the instrument were forever linked by years. Will Quintrell re-appeared in
segments and backing for entertainers.
his interludes and broadcasts, which 1943 at the Regent Sydney and stayed
Gladys Moncrieff, Will Mahony and
spanned three decades. there until the end of the war.
Evie Hayes were some who performed
22 2005 CINEMARECORD