George Hinchliffe's Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
Theatre Severn
29th /October/ 2023
If you are ever in need of an evening of fun, anarchy and irreverence one could do no better that going along to watch The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. If however, you would like an evening of top talent, brilliant musicianship, and superbly played instruments; one could do no better than an evening in the company of The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. High octane, topflight, top-drawer professionalism with the most unusual choice of instrument. As the title dictates, nothing other than ukuleles. Tongues firmly planted in cheeks; this orchestra can really make one sit up and listen.
This is a delightful, enthralling, breath taking, funny, and eclectic revue. With numbers as diverse as Black Sabbath’s, Paranoia to Ian Drury’s, Sex and Drugs and Rock an’ Roll, with everything in between, the band offers two high fuelled musical hours that just leaves one wanting more.
With the a line of 4 men and 3 women the guys bounced off and interacted with each other with a light hearted, fun routine: But when the notes started flying the flew like blacksmith’s sparks from a grinding wheel. Such accuracy and timing are key to the success of this fine combi. Six ukuleles and one bass ukulele can make quite a welcome sound together and rather like when one watches the little steam trains of Wales one is constantly amazed at how this little instrument can achieve so much in such a strong and strident fashion. The ukes stood up massively and didn’t just punch above their weight, they set the bar!
What comes across to the audience is an enduring respect the musicians have for each other. There is a trust between themselves that reaches and out and like a finger in a cartoon points out and beckons the audience in for this great spectacle. The audience led in by the mythical finger stay beckoned, invest wholeheartedly, and are rewarded richly for it.
One would anticipate a balanced audience of newcomers to old partisan fans. Very quickly both factors were reacting to the common themes of the gig and almost everyone immediately felt they had known this band forever! That was fun to be amongst simply watching just how quickly the virginal audience members got into the show and stayed there from first note to last.
The sound reproduction tonight was perfect, the balance immaculate and not one cue was missed. Neither was one note. This act is amazing. Know all over Europe and The UK The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is a must for everyone to see, or at least should be. Long may they reign with this entirely unique and thoroughly enjoyable evening out.
This is a Four-Star Review
Sofia Lewis
Sofia is a successful playwright living in Shrewsbury. After graduating from Wolverhampton University in theatre. Sofia went on to become an actor and film maker. Her first play was published in 2015 and her plays have been seen all around the world. She is also the instigator of the popular concerts, The Sound Of Shrewsbury Folk. She has been writing with loveshrewsbury for 13 years and loves Theatre Severn and all she sees there.
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