Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

About this show

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has been delighting audiences, raising the roof, selling out performances, and receiving standing ovations since 1985. This all-singing, all strumming (and occasionally dancing) group has been performing for more than 40 years using only a fistful of ukuleles and maintaining that all genres of music are available for reinterpretation. The first gigs, only intended as a bit of fun, were an instant success and led to national attention, album recordings, and then global tours. The Orchestra has since given thousands of concerts, TV, and radio appearances all over the world. The amazing musicians have toured Britain, mainland Europe, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China, America, Canada and even the North Pole. Their music has been featured in TV-programs, films and commercials. They even performed by royal request at the private 90th Birthday party of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle. Such great success is an extraordinary achievement. The original premise sounds astoundingly simple: acoustic instruments, natural voices, no pedals, no light show… no gimmicks. Yet the New York Times says: “They extract more than seems humanly possible from so small and so modest an instrument”, and millions of people over the years have loved how the Orchestra exceeds all expectations with an exciting and moving, foot-stomping show, full of characteristic dry British humour. Our shows bring an evening of joy beyond the artificial boundaries of musical genres, joining together the artistry of a serious concert with riotous entertainment. As soon as the performers walk on stage in formal evening wear (whether at Carnegie Hall or Glastonbury), the audience are in safe hands with performers totally in command of the art, craft, and magic of the stage. These accomplished musicians transcend all expectations of the instrument and the repertoire to create a musical freedom with unsuspected musical insights and encounters: an evening cocktail of classical, rock, pop and punk. The Orchestra has changed not just perceptions of the Ukulele, but pioneered the art of invention, performing well-known and loved songs in exciting surprising and genuinely funny ways. Independent newspaper: "The best musical entertainment in the country” Financial Times: “The sophisticated sound they make – both percussive and melodic – is at once hilarious and heartfelt” King Charles III: “There’s a marvelous organization called “The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain” – it’s fantastic!”