The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Fareham (From Daily Echo)

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Fareham

10:53am Monday 13th April 2009 in

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THEY say good things come in small packages, and this performance was no exception.

Strumming away like there was no tomorrow, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain wowed the crowd with the amazing range of sounds the tiny four-stringed instruments can produce.

Dressed in formal evening wear, and expertly using their voices and ukes alone, they take modern-day classics and work their special brand of magic on them.

Definite highlights included a stunning version of David Bowie’s Life on Mars (with Frank Sinatra’s My Way blended in), a hilarious take on Isaac Hayes’ Theme from Shaft, The Undertones’ Teenage Kicks and The Strokes’ Last Nite.

The obligatory head banging on their dead-pan delivery of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit by a long haired member of the orchestra got a big laugh.

Proving a huge hit across the world, the Ukulele Orchestra believe songs of all genres are open to interpretation.

With the ukulele currently enjoying a massive resurgence in popularity – it is being taught in primary schools and jam sessions are popping up across the country – this was a chance to see the masters at work.

While they may have formed back in 1985, the current trend for the humble uke can be doing them no harm at all.

They are, in fact, due to achieve a career highlight this summer when they take to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC’s Proms season.

Playing as part of the Fareham and Gosport Folk Festival on Saturday, the receptive audience smiled and cheered throughout the performance.

With each song interspersed with witty jokes and banter this was the ultimate feel-good show.