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Sensational Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain To Tour NZ
“Wonderfully clever” – David Bowie
“Most people have to die before they become immortal.
These ukulele superstars have no such worries.”
New Musical Express
They’re mobbed in Japan, they’ve played at Ronnie Scotts, the Royal Festival Hall and Glastonbury and scored one of the
fastest sell-outs in BBC Proms history filling all 7000 seats of London’s Royal Albert Hall. Now they’re coming to New
Zealand!
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain heads to New Zealand for a 10-centre tour in November performing concerts in Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth,
Palmerston North, Hastings, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown.
Playing everything from Nirvana to Tchaikovsky via Kate Bush and Spaghetti Western soundtracks, the Ukes take audiences
on “a world tour with only hand luggage”, giving the listener “One Plucking Thing After Another”.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain performed in Wellington in 2008, selling out seven shows at the New Zealand
International Arts Festival and promoter Arne Herrmann says he couldn’t resist inviting this twanging, singing, awesome,
foot-stomping band of ukulele players back to New Zealand.
“In Wellington I saw how much people loved this band – they are simply fabulous performers and everyone who comes along
has a fantastic time.”
And, adds Arne, as part of the New Zealand concerts, ukulele players are encouraged to bring their instruments for a
play-along song.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain started as a bit of fun in 1985. The first gig, intended as a one-off, was an
instant sell out and since then the orchestra has given thousands of concerts around the world and their music has been
used in films, plays, and commercials.
The current ensemble has been playing together
for almost 20 year and the individual players have varied backgrounds, featuring strong individual voices and
instrumental abilities.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain tours New Zealand from November 19 to December 3. For full tour details visit www.ukuleleorchestra.co.nz
“The best musical entertainment in the country” – The Independent (UK)
ENDS