Gang Show History
What is a Gang Show?
A Gang Show is a variety show staged by Scouts and Guides - generally
to a high standard that Ralph Reader would recognise as carrying on the
very best traditions of Gang Show and the theatrical arts. A Red Necker
Gang Show (eg Reading, Oxford and our very own show) symbolise the
highest standards of excellence. (A Red Necker is a prestigious award
bestowed by the London Gang Show Fellowship.)
And this just doesn't involve the actors and dancers and others in the
cast. The Gang Show is made up of over two hundred people - not just the
hundred-odd cast on stage - and covers all areas of the modern theatre
from lighting, scenery, costume, music and orchestra, audio, special
effects, and energetic ticket sellers.
Gang Show had its beginning in England in 1932 when a young Rover Scout,
Ralph Reader, was making a name for himself in theatrical circles. In
fact, Ralph was already a famous and sought after choreographer on
Broadway - but his life took a remarkable twist after he wrote and
produced the first Gang Show to raise money for a local swimming pool.
Recognising the worth of this form of training, Baden-Powell encouraged
Reader to continue.
He did - and went on to establish the world famous London Gang Show
tradition, as well as writing the words and music to hundreds of songs
and sketches, including the world famous song "We're Riding Along on the
Crest of a Wave" (1934).
From that small beginning, the Gang Show has become one of the
traditions of Scouting and has given Royal Command performances - the
only amateur act to ever receive this honour.
Sir Harry Secombe, Sir Richard Attenborough, Peter Sellers, Darryl
Stewart, Max Bygraves, Spike Milligan, Norrie Paramour, Dick Emery, Tony
Hancock and many other stage and film stars were involved in Gang Shows
early in their careers and have contributed in building the Gang Show
tradition.
Gang Shows then spread quickly to many other countries around the world.
It is often said that a Gang Show is playing somewhere in the world
every night of the year !
When Ralph Reader formulated what was to become a "Gang Show" in 1932
something he did not want it to be labeled was a "concert". In those
days, the typical form of entertainment produced by amateurs was a
"concert", i.e. a series of acts introduced by a compere who covered
while the scenes were changed.
Ralph had just been to America where he was involved in producing fast
moving revues and musicals. What a "Gang Show" has become first of all
is a fast moving revue i.e. a series of big musical numbers interspersed
by small musical numbers and sketches, the whole thing moving swiftly
from scene to scene without a break. This is achieved by having
mid-stage tabs brought across or cloths dropped in and out to allow
items to take place "front of tabs" and therefore to allow the show to
happen seamlessly.
The second thing which makes a "Gang Show" is of course the fact that it
is performed by "Scouts" with the emphasis on showing off the talent of
the younger members of The Movement. Many shows, of course, also involve
members of the Guide Movement, but "Gang Show" is essentially a Scout
entertainment.
As Districts, Areas / Counties and Groups became inspired around the
country to follow the London Gang Show and perform their own shows, they
were allowed in turn to use the term "Gang Show" because they were
fulfilling these basic principles.
One other important factor which made a show a Gang Show in the early
days was that all the material used in a Gang Show was written by Ralph
himself. As time has gone on, shows have gradually dropped Ralph's
material in favour of more modern material. Some of Ralph's material, if
well presented and/or brought up to date (within the guidelines
suggested by Ralph), can still come across well to a modern audience.
However, it is now left up to each show to decide how much of Ralph's
material they should include.
It is believed that Ralph, as a pioneer in musical theatre, would not
have wanted Gang Shows to stand still and would have himself withdrawn a
lot of his own material as being out of date. However to ensure that his
name is kept alive, each Gang Show is requested to included in their
programme "Based on idea by the late Ralph Reader C.B.E.".
These then are the basic elements which make a Gang Show and any show
which follows these can use that title.
In order to increase the degree of professionalism in Gang Shows, Ralph
introduced the award of the red scarf. Those shows which have met this
standard of professionalism have been awarded their own red scarf. The
requirements for this are laid out in the Scout Association's Fact
sheet, Gang Show Standards.
Finally, the term "Gang Show", like the song "Crest Of A Wave", was not
invented right away. It was while Ralph was rehearsing one of the early
shows that he asked if everyone was present. A cheeky Scout replied,
"Aye, Skip. The Gang's all here", and that's how the posters went up.
