Ukulele Orchestra Set to Return to Opera House

West Cork Ukulele Orchestra

Christmas Extravaganza

Monday, 15^th December, 8pm
Cork Opera House

West Cork Ukulele Orchestra returns to the Cork Opera House with special guests on Monday, the 15^th of December for a Christmas extravaganza which promises to be their most elaborate and spectacular show to date.

West Cork Ukulele Orchestra

It’s been two years since the West Cork Ukulele Orchestra have played a headline show in Cork and they return with a sleigh-full of new material, including a selection box of classic (and not-so-classic) Christmas songs.

Leapfrogging over all known barriers of genre, time and taste, the West Cork Ukulele Orchestra has blazed comet-like since their start four years ago. Founder Kevin McNally says, “It was born out of a desire to form a band with my friends, despite the fact that few of us could play any instruments; that’s where the ukulele came in.  Our first ever gig was actually playing Christmas carols at the finishing line of a marathon.  Nobody was interested in hearing them.”

Despite the inauspicious start the group have since been entertaining audiences at sell-out shows across Ireland, including being invited to play at Áras an Uachtaráin. They’ve supported artists such as Josh Ritter and Efterklang, appeared at countless festivals and on the Late Late Show. They have also penned the world’s first ukulele/gamelan collaboration with the UCC Gamelan Orchestra.  Armed only with their tiny ukuleles and a wall of harmonies, they perform playful versions of classic pop songs and their arrangements are as inventive as they are irreverent.

Expect to see a rip-roaring show full of lush harmonies and death-defying ukulele-playing featuring pop and festive season classics like ‘White Christmas’,  Eartha Kitt’s ‘Santa Baby’ and Wham’s cheesy pop number  ‘Last Christmas’.

Like any Christmas party, surprises are to be expected and special guests will make an appearance including legendary Cork poet/musician Ger Wolfe, traditional guitar virtuoso Jim Murray and rising west Cork singer/songwriter Míde Houlihan.

McNally concludes, “It’s been a busy year for all of us individually and we haven’t performed as much as we’d like to, so we’re really excited about playing the Cork Opera House, especially surrounded by a colourful panto set.  It’s going to be a special festive treat, including a few new instruments making their West Cork Ukulele debut for this special Christmas Show!”

Date:                    Monday, 15 December, 8pm

Tickets*:              €20, €25 (*Booking fee may apply)

Booking:              Booking and information on www.corkoperahouse.ie or 021 427 0022