VIDEO: Shoppers are left stunned by impromptu ukulele flash mob

A GROUP of ukulele-playing actors, including musical star Gary Wilmot, surprised shoppers with an impromptu performance in the city's Westfield shopping centre.

Cast members of Stars of Radio Times: The Musical took part in a flash mob in the centre's food court yesterday to promote the show, which is running at Derby Theatre until Saturday.

Ukulele-playing cast members of Stars of Radio Times: The Musical gave an impromptu performance in Derby's Westfield shopping centre. They included Gary Wilmot and Sara Crowe, main picture. Right, the crowd enjoying the performance and the performers in action.
Vivien Carter playing a tune to shoppers.

Showstoppers star Gary, who plays the lead role, began the performance by playing a ukulele before being joined by about 20 other performers who emerged from various locations around the centre.

Charlotte Reid, 39, of Chellaston, witnessed the event and said she had never seen anything like it before.

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"Everyone was taking pictures on the phones and the kids loved it. They were dancing around and really enjoying themselves," she said.

While the people of Derby may not have witnessed a flash mob perform before, star Wilmot is no stranger to the phenomenon.

He said: "I once played a song called Copacabana in the underwear department of Marks and Spencer in Manchester to promote a ticket office there. It makes you smile. I think it's really good fun."

Heidi McKenzie, Derby Theatre's marketing and press officer, said she believed the event made the public more excited about the theatre.

She said: "It is such a novel way of promotion and people seem very responsive to it."

Stars of Radio Times: The Musical, which was first performed on Tuesday, is set in London's Blitz-ravaged West End where the cast of a radio show are trying to broadcast live to America for the first time while trying to keep leading man in check.

Sara Crowe, whose film credits include Four Weddings and a Funeral and Carry on Columbus, stars alongside Wilmot with music by Noel Gay.

To order tickets, call Derby 593939 or visit www. derbytheatre.co.uk