Project - The Apollo

Consultants in theatrical, cinematographic and musical heritage restoration

The London Apollo Hammersmith

Project: Restoration of the original 1932 Compton pipe organ and installation of a multiplex system to rejoin the console to the pipe chambers.

Summary: In 2007 HWS were commissioned to complete the restoration of the wonderful 4-manual Compton cinema pipe organ at the Hammersmith Apollo, formerly the Odeon cinema.

Although cosmetic restoration of the console had already taken place, no work had been undertaken in the pipe chambers and the contents of these were very dirty. Many faults were apparent and much work was needed to make this very fine instrument play again.

As usual for HWS, the multiplex system used was Opus-Two, although we retained the original Compton relays and just used Opus to drive them.

The pictures below give an idea of the state of the organ when we found it and what we achieved with it since.

HWS continue to maintain the organ and are active in trying to get it used for shows and events

The organ as we found it:


...and now restoration begins:

Launch event:



Other events:

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