Uked! A Unique Musical Experience Where You Can Play Along

Theatregoers who would like to attend a musical which is close up and personal and a complete contrast to all the mega-musical style productions playing in Sydney, Uked! is the show for you!

This is the first play-along ukulele musical written by Jane Cafarella, directed by Ali Bendall and produced by David Spicer.

Uked! is a traditional musical but the difference is that the audience can play and sing-along. The story centres on Karla, a 50-year-old woman who was dumped by her violin playing boyfriend and to prove her musical worth she buys a ukulele and also joins a dating site. The audience follows her learning the ukulele, her dating site adventures and how playing this instrument ultimately changes her life.

“Karla is looking for love and to belong. She joins a ukulele club and when she’s learning on YouTube, the audience can learn to play and sing-along with her because there’s a screen which displays all the chords and lyrics,” enthused Cafarella.

This is a very interactive show. Rather than having actors play the ukulele club members, real ukulele players are invited to be part of the show.

“We have a system where people can apply to be on the show and play Karla’s fellow club members. We have a roaster of volunteer performers who will play the ukulele and just be themselves.”

The volunteers on stage will not be playing alone. They will be led by musical director Kristen Harris and Jamie Sturgess, both who are well known ukulele players in Sydney and who also have cameo appearances in the show. Nobody playing on stage will be left exposed if they make a mistake.

People who are interested in participating must register in advance, bring along their own ukulele and they will receive the chord charts for the rehearsal so they can practice before they attend. What makes this easy is that all the songs are well known to ukulele players.

“They have to come to one rehearsal on June 17 at 6.30pm which will be fun for them as they’ll meet the stars and receive free merchandise and get an experience they would never otherwise get.”

They will be on stage with Josephine Birch who plays the role of Karla and Ian Stenlake who plays all the YouTube teachers and all her love interests.

Cafarella describes Uked! as a play-along, sing-along and laugh-along so it has ticked all the right boxes for a fun and very unique night out at the theatre, but there’s also a resonating message for audiences in the musical.

“I wanted to celebrate all the women, especially people like Karla who have fallen through the cracks of life, never married, never had children, women who are gutsy and brave, but who are also struggling to find their place in a changing world.”

Uked! should appeal to women in particular, but also to anyone over the age of 15 who wants to experience an uplifting immersive theatrical production.

“There are a lot of younger people who find the ukulele cool these days so hopefully they’ll come along. But you don’t have to play or even like the ukulele. You can just come along with a drink and watch everyone else make a fool of themselves!” laughed Cafarella.

June 18 -28. Bondi Pavilion Theatre. 

Register To Play The Ukulele: https://uked.com.au

Bookings: www.bonditheatrecompany.com.au