A Pluck Above The Rest!

I was an eleventh hour substitute as reviewer for the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, and expected little other than an interesting night out. How wrong can a man be. Genius!

This motley band of seven musicians vary in sex, size and hair length - the longest belonged to a Quo style head banger - and their arrival on stage sporting dinner suits, dickie bows and, for the ladies, evening wear, belies a tongue-in-cheek performance that is full of fun, naughtiness and superb musicianship.

George Formby was nowhere to be seen, or heard, because these toe-tapping teasers have taken their instrument and pulled it, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century.

Prince, Bowie, James Bond theme tunes and even Wheatus' Teenage Dirtbag get the ukulele orchestra treatment, as they plough through every possible music genre in a two hour show of melodic magnificence!



What began as a bit of fun in 1985 has turned into a national institution with the Ukes now playing across the globe, even performing, recently, at a private show for the Queen's 90th at Windsor Castle. "Oh didn't we tell you, we've also performed in the Sydney Opera House," quipped one during the mid-song banter.

The place was packed with middle aged groupies who were up on their feet bopping and screaming for more and, in a theatre that holds nigh on 2000, you quickly realise the extent to which this act has penetrated the UK psyche.

Not only are they superb musicians with some to-die-for arrangements, but they have nailed the on stage banter to a tee. Each player is also a character, the one with the long, heavy metal style hair, the dour faced six and a half footer, and the baby faced Noel Coward style chappie straight out of the West End.

George Formby did much to popularise the ukulele and maybe it's those memories that British folk hold so dear to their heart, and why they pack theatres wherever the Ukulele Orchestra is playing.

But these performers are not just for fuddy duddy oldies. They really are excellent musical performers, and it will be a lesser life if you fail to see a group applauded by Bowie, helped by the Kaiser Chiefs and Madness, and viewed by the longest reigning monarch in England!

Check out: http://www.ukuleleorchestra.com

Ukulele of GB
Alhambra, Bradford