Gang Show 30 Years
Cubs, Scouts, Guides and Brownies in Basingstoke join forces every two years to perform their Gang Show. Their first show was held in the town's Haymarket Theatre in 1980, and has remained there ever since.T he Gang Show is based on Ralf Reader's original idea - he started the London Gang Show in 1932.
The shows involve sketches, dance and musical items, and are a tradition throughout the world - competition to be in one can be tough. Volunteer and original Gang member Steven Edney puts their popularity down to TV shows and films. He said: "Programmes like Britain's Got Talent and films such as Billy Elliot, show it is cool for lads to dance."
Youngsters from the two Basingstoke Scout and Guide districts, audition every two years for a coveted place on stage.
Rehearsals for the performers, all aged between eight and 25, start in September each year.
The Gang of around 80 then spends hundreds of hours perfecting the show, which hits the stage in February.
Steven said: "After performing on the stage many of the cast go on to perform other roles to support the production."
Some former cast members go on to run the show: "Julie Wilson, who has produced the last four, started her Gang Show career as a performer in 1996."
Steven appeared on stage as an 11 year-old, in the 1980 production of the show.
The Basingstoke Gang Show, which costs around £40,000 to stage, is now a bi-annual event.
Steven said: "It is a way of promoting the Scouting and Guiding movements to the communities.
"The show helps with the youngsters' personal development and provides them with an experience they will always remember. Life long friendships are forged within the ranks of the show."
Steven even met his wife Leanne on the stage at the Basingstoke Gang Show in 1987.
He said: "We finally married in September 2009!"
But those appearing on stage are just a few of the total number of crew needed to stage such a production.
Steven said: "We couldn't operate without the dedicated band of families and friends who work tirelessly behind the scenes. It is down to the work of these volunteers, that makes the show such a success."
There are whole families involved in the show - Steven highlights the Ruffle family as an example.
He said: "Dad Chris helps build the scenery and his wife Carole keeps busy making costumes.
"Daughter Kirsty choreographs some of the dance routines while her 24-year-old sister Kimberley, a Brownie Leader from the Brighton Hill Group, is on stage.
"They are one of the many families who all get involved in the various aspects of the show from being in the cast, building scenery, working backstage, being a choreographer, making costumes and running the wardrobe department."
Some members of the Basingstoke Gang have performed in shows in Holland and in the National Gang Show at the Royal Albert Hall.
It is said that a Gang Show is staged every night of the year, somewhere in the world.
The shows involve sketches, dance and musical items, and are a tradition throughout the world - competition to be in one can be tough. Volunteer and original Gang member Steven Edney puts their popularity down to TV shows and films. He said: "Programmes like Britain's Got Talent and films such as Billy Elliot, show it is cool for lads to dance."
Youngsters from the two Basingstoke Scout and Guide districts, audition every two years for a coveted place on stage.
Rehearsals for the performers, all aged between eight and 25, start in September each year.
The Gang of around 80 then spends hundreds of hours perfecting the show, which hits the stage in February.
Steven said: "After performing on the stage many of the cast go on to perform other roles to support the production."
Some former cast members go on to run the show: "Julie Wilson, who has produced the last four, started her Gang Show career as a performer in 1996."
Steven appeared on stage as an 11 year-old, in the 1980 production of the show.
The Basingstoke Gang Show, which costs around £40,000 to stage, is now a bi-annual event.
Steven said: "It is a way of promoting the Scouting and Guiding movements to the communities.
"The show helps with the youngsters' personal development and provides them with an experience they will always remember. Life long friendships are forged within the ranks of the show."
Steven even met his wife Leanne on the stage at the Basingstoke Gang Show in 1987.
He said: "We finally married in September 2009!"
But those appearing on stage are just a few of the total number of crew needed to stage such a production.
Steven said: "We couldn't operate without the dedicated band of families and friends who work tirelessly behind the scenes. It is down to the work of these volunteers, that makes the show such a success."
There are whole families involved in the show - Steven highlights the Ruffle family as an example.
He said: "Dad Chris helps build the scenery and his wife Carole keeps busy making costumes.
"Daughter Kirsty choreographs some of the dance routines while her 24-year-old sister Kimberley, a Brownie Leader from the Brighton Hill Group, is on stage.
"They are one of the many families who all get involved in the various aspects of the show from being in the cast, building scenery, working backstage, being a choreographer, making costumes and running the wardrobe department."
Some members of the Basingstoke Gang have performed in shows in Holland and in the National Gang Show at the Royal Albert Hall.
It is said that a Gang Show is staged every night of the year, somewhere in the world.
