Gang Show
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A Gang Show is a theatrical performance by members of Scouts and Guides. The shows are produced with the dual aims of providing a learning opportunity for young people in the performing arts, as well as contributing to the artistic and cultural growth of their local community.
Gang Shows will have members of all ages involved, however the on-stage performers are often limited to current Youth Members (those being aged under 25 in most cases). A large amount of other areas will have members of all ages, including
Gang Shows are entirely volunteer run, and often feature a majority of work written by Scouting and Guiding members. This may be new work, or may be existing works adapted to suit the show's intended narrative.
The shows may be a simple affair in a local scout hall, but are often more involved and take place in a local theater. A season may only run for a single weekend, but performance seasons lasting one or two weeks are common. Tickets to these shows are often available to the public, and can be a useful tool to engage the local community in Scouting.
Gang Show format
The format is a revue or variety show; song, dance and short comedy sketches are the most common. The number of items varies between 12 and 25, some stand-alone, others a series of songs to a chosen theme or a running gag.
The format was created by Ralph Reader, who wrote material including the signature tune, "Crest of a Wave". Other standards Reader wrote include "Strolling", "Great Great Game", "Gee, It's A Wonderful life", "Gee, It's Great To Be Young", "A Touch of Silver", "Three Cheers", "Show Time", "Together", "These are the Times" and "The Scout Hymn".
History
In 1931, Reader, a
Initially the show did not have a title, but during a rehearsal break, Reader recalled, he asked a cast member if everyone was ready, to which the response was "Aye, aye Skip, the gang's all here". The first production, The Gang's All Here, ran between 30 October and 1 November 1932 at the Scala Theatre in central London.[1]
The show was not a sell-out but enough was raised to fund the swimming pool and the show was well received. Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, persuaded Reader to produce another show in 1933. This was The Gang Comes Back, which ran for a week.[1]
Reader continued to write and produce the London Gang Show. In 1934, the show became The Gang Show, and "Crest of a Wave" was performed for the first time, becoming over the years the anthem for the show.
In 1937, the London show became the first amateur production to have a
Following the
Organisation
When the Gang Show started in London in 1932, Reader organised the cast as a
Members of shows in the United Kingdom used to only be allowed to wear the scarlet scarf if they were nationally recognised, i.e. they came up to prescribed minimum standards of performance and production. It is now worn by almost all Gang Shows. While 'National Recognition' is no longer a thing, UK shows still need to be regularly assessed (every five years) in order to maintain standards.
In 1972, Reader founded the London Gang Show Fellowship so current and former members of the London show could keep in touch. Membership later expanded to anyone interested in Gang Show, and the LGSF still meets annually.
Gang Shows around the world
Since the first in London, productions have been organised around the world,[7] Ireland,[8] Australia,[9] New Zealand[10] and Canada.[11] While individual in character, they share the ethos of Reader's concept and have common elements, often including a finale performance of "Crest of a Wave".
In 1958 Reader went to Chicago to produce and direct the first Gang Show in America. He returned to Chicago next year to guide the second. Reader first went to Chicago in 1920 as a teenager and began his stage career there.[12]
Newcastle Gang Show started in April 1937[13] followed by Peterborough Gang Show in November 1937 and apart from the war years has run ever since.[14] Harpenden Gang Show has performed every year since 1949, making it the longest continuously running Gang Show in the world. [15]
In the United States, the only known Gang Show in existence is performed annually in Derby, Connecticut, produced by BSA Troop 3, Pack 3 and Venture Crew 33 since 1924, also making it one of the world's oldest continuous Gang Shows.
Gang Show spin offs
In some countries an over-18 only show often referred to as a Bag Show are produced, often with a dinner and a more cabaret style and with more adult content such as risque jokes and burlesque elements. This is done for Rover Scouts and leaders.[citation needed]
In Melbourne, Australia the Showtimes came out of the strong theatre culture of the area. These are smaller than the local Gang Show, with the exception of Whitehorse Showtime which is actually the largest show in the Southern Hemisphere, originally pulling from a single district to produce a show. Currently there are four of these shows; Whitehorse Showtime, South Metro Showtime, Camberwell Showtime and Strzelecki Showtime. Because these showtimes are not Gang Shows, they do not have the red scarf instead choosing a different colour, such as Strzelecki Showtime's gold scarf or Whitehorse Showtime’s purple scarf.[citation needed]
Signature tunes
"On the Crest of a Wave" has become the signature tune throughout the world[citation needed] and is usually performed at the end. It may be sung as just the chorus (traditionally twice, the first time with gusto, the second part-quiet and staccato, part with gusto once more) but there are also two verses.
"A Touch of Silver" (sometimes referred to as "Silver on the Scarlet"), written by Reader and
"Birds of a Feather" written by Reader, is the signature tune of the Albury Gang Show and is sung at the end of every show performed by the group.
See also
References
- ^ a b c "The History of Gang Show - in Ralph Reader's own Words". Angelfire.com. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ "It's Behind You - The Lyceum Theatre and The Melvilles". Its-behind-you.com. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ "The Gang Show". IMDb.com. 22 July 1938. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ Nevill, Percy Bantock (1966). Scouting in London, 1908-1965. London Scout Council. p. 195.
- ^ Nevill 1966, p. 197
- ^ "PROGRAMME INDEX - The Gang Show - Sat 23rd Dec 1972, 17:00 on BBC One London". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 23 December 1972. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "List of UK Gang Shows". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ "The Star Scout Show". Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
- ^ "Australian Gang Shows". Archived from the original on 28 August 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ "North Shore Gang Show - NZ Gang Shows". Gangshow.org.nz. Archived from the original on 9 January 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ "There are a lot of good scouts. More than 200 boys of all ages are..." Gettyimages.com. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ Chicago Council's 1959 Gang Show souvenir program.
- ^ "Newcastle Gang Show". Sites.google.com. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ "Gang Shows Past". Peterboroughgangshow.com. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ "Harpenden and Wheathampstead District Scouts Harpenden Gang Show". www.harpendenscouts.org.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
Bibliography
- Reader, Ralph This is The Gang Show, C. Arthur Pearson Ltd [London], 1957
- Reader, Ralph Ralph Reader Remembers, Bailey Brothers and Swinfen [London], 1975
External links
Scouting: Events: Gang Shows at
Global Gangshow
History