WURLITZER FLETCHER-BIRMINGHAM

<your background>
1.Q Tell me about the first time you can remember being thrilled.
1.A to see my father all dressed up to go out on a Sunday morning. All dressed up in a suit and bowler hat, white scarf and buttonhole.

2.Q What's been your most frightening thrill ever?
2.A At age 6 I dreamt I was being chased up our narrow entry by a man with a knife in his hand and was trying to stab me in the back..

3.Q What's the smallest or slightest thing to have thrilled you?
3.A Country dancing at school. When Teacher was trying to teach the class a certain step. She said: ‘There is only one person that understands what I am saying and I shall ask her to dance with me and show you all.’ She called out my name.

4.Q Tell me why you're not a sensible person.
4.A My thoughts run away with me in conversations and I start to see funny situations.

5.Q What were you doing the last time you were really bored?
5.A Having flu and trying to watch telly.

6.Q What's the most uninhibited thing you've ever done?
6.A Dressed up as a black minstrel for a New year party, walking through the street - black face and black wig, top hat, big yellow bow tie and carrying a banjo.

7.Q What things have you considered doing for thrill, but were too concerned about the risks?
7.A As a child, being in an empty shop with boxes of sweets on the counter and never dared pinch one.

8.Q I always dreamt about being a paramedic, driving an ambulance and saving lives; what about you?
8.A Never had such heroic thoughts.

<your thrill>
To answer these next 14 questions, you should think about a particular time you were thrilled.

9.Q Describe this thrill in a nutshell, in one sentence. (there's time to expand later)
9.A The Wurlitzer organ came up from the depths of the stage.

THE SETTING...
10.Q Where and when did it take place?
10.A Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

11.Q Tell me a bit about yourself around this time.
11.A Age 16. I’d saved up to go to the seaside with my family. It was my first holiday and the first time I’d seen the magnificent ballroom. I’d heard the organ on the radio.

PREPARATION...
12.Q How did the moment arise? Was it planned?
12.A Yes, but I didn’t know how I would react. It was just magic. I was so thrilled by it I started to cry.

YOUR FEELINGS...
13.Q List the sequence of events leading up to your thrill, and how you felt at each stage. The smallest detail could be important (this is your chance to expand).
13.A I and my family all in the ballroom, the smaller organ on the side of the stage started to go down, and he was playing the signature tune of the famous organist, Reginald Dixon. When the Wurlitzer came up playing – the cheers of the crowd.

14.Q At the exact moment of thrill, how did your mind and body feel?
14.A Tingling in my back.

15.Q What thoughts were going through your head?
15.A I couldn’t believe I was actually there.

16.Q What did you do immediately afterwards?
16.A Dance on the beautiful floor.

OTHER PEOPLE...
17.Q How were other people important to your thrill?
17.A That Mom was there so we could talk about it. Mom had tears in her eyes.

18.Q What do you imagine other people were thinking throughout your thrilling episode?
18.A Everybody was excited, all feeling the same.

19.Q Some people probably don't understand how such a thing can thrill you; explain it to them.
19.A Yes, I could. They would be pleased for me.

EQUIPMENT...
20.Q Why were certain objects or equipment important to your thrill?
20.A That everything all happened at the same time.

REPEAT PERFORMANCE...
21.Q If you've done something like this before, how does the last time compare to the first time you did it?
21.A Been many times and the experience is always the same.

22.Q If you did it again, what things could be added or changed to make it even better?
22.A Nothing

FINALLY...
Is there anything you want to add?
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