On Wednesday, anarchy hit the UK as the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain rolled into King's Lynn...
The melee in the foyer of the Corn Exchange was testament to the diverse crossover audiences which pool to form the Ukes fanbase - everything from mad-keen junior school children to pashmina-porting 'prommers' to aged rockers.
It is rare to find a band who can demonstrate classical skill and sophistication without the stuffiness; who can entertain and enthrall as well as excite; who can make the old seem new and the new seem old: that is the magic formula captured by the seven friends and 28 strings of The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.
With an inventive repertoire which included everything from a 'happy' version of Anarchy in the UK to a 'Cossack' slowed-down version of Formby's legendary Leaning on a Lampost to 'simul-segues' of threads of six different classic rock tunes woven into the fabric of Bowie's Life on Mars, to Teenage Dirtbag sung as a down-tempo, sentimental ballad - there was wall-to-wall delight, suprise and inspiration.
Quite simply, the best £21.50 I have spent in many a long while, and the 'Live' CD of their 16 most popular performance tracks is a bargain at £10. If you get the chance to see them - go!
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