ALL-SINGING, all-strumming ukulele players are coming to the Alban Arena next Thursday, July 2, for a concert with a difference. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain believes that all genres of music are available for reinterpretation – as long as they

ALL-SINGING, all-strumming ukulele players are coming to the Alban Arena next Thursday, July 2, for a concert with a difference.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain believes that all genres of music are available for reinterpretation - as long as they are played on the ukulele.

There are no drums, pianos, backing tracks or banjos only the ukulele and a menagerie of voices in a collision of post-punk performance and toe-tapping oldies which range from Tchaikovsky to Nirvana via Otis Reading and Spaghetti Western soundtracks.

The orchestra uses instruments small and large, in high and low registers, whether playing intricate melodies, simple tunes or complex chords. Sitting in chamber group format dressed in formal evening wear, they use the limitations of the instrument to create a musical freedom.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets are �17.50, available from the box office on 01727 844488.

n Former child prodigy Cara Dillon comes to the Arena next Saturday evening, July 4.

Cara's collaborations with her husband Sam Lakeman have long been admired and her sensitive interpretations of traditional works as well as original pieces have pushed her to the top of her field.

She recorded her debut album on a frill-free budget at The Firs, the Lakeman brothers' parents' house, with Sam producing. The second and third albums featured most of the couple's own work and won excellent reviews.

After a career hiatus, the couple have returned this year with Cara's fourth solo effort, Hill of Thieves. It has been her most successful album in terms of chart position and has again garnered good reviews.

Cara comes on stage at 7.30pm and tickets are �17.50.

n A chilling tale of duty and conscience based on the true story of a failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler is at the heart of the film Valkyrie which is being shown at the Arena next Wednesday, July 1.

Approved by Hitler himself, Operation Valkyrie begins as a plan to maintain order in the event of the Fuehrer's death. But when Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) joins the German Resistance, a plot is hatched to kill Hitler and use Operation Valkyrie to overthrow the government and make peace with the Allies.

It is being shown at 1.30pm and 7.30pm with matinee tickets �4 and evening tickets �6 with concessions �2 off