British ukeleles strum up a storm

Seven ukuleles, 14 hands, 28 strings, 16 million minutes, one billion seconds The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain returns to New Zealand this month to celebrate '30 Plucking Years'.

The all-singing, all-strumming, original ukulele orchestra will perform in New Plymouth on Wednesday, November 25 as part of their seven-show tour in the country, clocking up one billion seconds of ukulele action.

Having played to sold-out houses around the world with happy, stomping, laughing audiences, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has continued transforming iconic songs into ukulele masterpieces. No artist is safe where the ukulele orchestra is concerned, and the list of recognisable songs range from the classic favourites; David Bowie, Nirvana and Beethoven as well as the newly popular tunes by Daft Punk, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and Pharrell Williams.

Formed in 1985 for a "bit of fun", The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has been credited with sparking the ukulele revival which has swept the globe. There are no drums, no backing tracks or banjos, no pitch shifters or electronic trickery - only an astonishing revelation of the rich palette of the orchestration afforded by ukuleles and singing (and a bit of whistling).

The Stratford Press caught up with George Hinchliffe, one of the founding members and directors of the orchestra to find out a bit more.

- Are there any artists you particularly enjoy playing the songs of?

My personal favourites are Motorhead, Beethoven, Wild Man Fischer, David Bowie, Englelbert Humperdinck (he went to school with my mother's boyfriend), Lou Reed, Junior Walker and The Clash.

- Have you had any artist present when you have played a version of their song? How did they react?

We've played by invitation on an album by Madness, we've performed by invitation with Cat Stevens / Yusuf, we've played Teenage Dirtbag on stage with Wheatus after they heard our version of their music, David Bowie has listened to and approved of our versions of his songs, George Harrison sat in with us, Robert Plant of Led Zep once enthusiastically sat in on one of our rehearsals. They all liked it.

- How do you audition a new player - is it a long process or is it easy to find the right fit?

Auditions don't take place. We play with various people and not many people can stand the pace. We all hang on to the magic carpet for the bare-knuckle ride. Most people fall off. It's not that we reject them, it's just that it takes a peculiar sort of person to cope with the lifestyle.

- Why should someone play the ukelele?

Many people have warmed to the ukelele recently. Perhaps it's because the instrument is small and cuddly, like a teddy bear.

Perhaps the instrument is like a terrier dog, friendly and noisy, sometimes a bit irritating. Or perhaps people are inspired by the fact we've played Glastonbury, WOMAD, the Vienna Opera House and toured China.

It's got to sound like we're living the dream!

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is at the TSB Showplace on Wednesday, November 25 at 7.30pm

Tickets are available through usual outlets or visit www.ukuleleorchestra.co.nz for more information.