Countdown to show week - 5 weeks to go!

Hi Gang Show peeps,

Only 5 weeks left, and we're just back from the first rehearsal at the theatre. It's very exciting to walk into the theatre for the first time, knowing that in just a few short weeks, you'll be performing on that very stage. It's actually a little bit daunting too!

Count down to show week! 6 weeks to go!

Hi guys and girls!

Apologies for the lack of updating! The busy busy rehearsals meant that I was unable to keep as up to date with the blog as I wanted. But we're in the final furlong now, and fairly soon this years show will be over. So I thought I'd make the most of it, and catch you up on our final weeks of preparation.

How it all started... The Red Scarf and Crest of a Wave

Hi gang show peeps!  

Welcome back to the last in our history lessons on gang show! Hopefully it hasn't been too boring. Today we're going to look at two of the key ingredients to a successful gang show. First off, lets look at the iconic Red Scarf.

Behind the Scenes with... Russell - Lighting Tech

Each month, we're going to spend a few minutes with the hidden faces of the gang.  No, not the people dressed in black in the UV numbers! The people that help with the running of the show backstage as just as important as all those smiling faces you see on stage. So this week we're going...

Russ hard at work!

Behind the Scenes with Russell - 

How it all Started... Ralph Reader

Ralph Reader

Hi guys, sorry this is a bit late. Had a busy weekend, and next weekend will prove to be even busier! But never fear, the show must go on, and so shall this blog!

After our brief history lesson last week on how Gang Show started, I thought this week we would look at the one person in particular who is responsible for all of it. Affectionately known as 'The father of Gang Show', we're going to look at the wonderful Ralph Reader.

How it all started... A (very brief) history of gang show

Hi guys, 

This week, we're going back to basics! SE Berks Gang show has been going for over fourty years, but we were not the first. Not by a long shot. The gang show movement is 80 years old this year, and still going strong. And it all started (as many things do) with one man. 

In 1931, a Rover Scout, trying to make his mark in theatre in the USA and London, was asked to write a Scout based amateur variety show to help raise money for a swimming pool at Downe Scout Camp. His name was Ralph Reader, and in May 1932 rehearsals commenced.

Focus on ... Charities

So... SE Berks Gang Show is awesome! I know, right! And part of the reason we're awesome (other than, you know, our general awesomeness!) is that we give local cubs, brownies, guides and scouts the chance to perform and showcase their many talents on the main stage of a working theatre, giving some that first taste of stardom, and others a huge boost in their own self confidence. As a gang, we ROCK!


But it's not just the oppourtunites we create for our own youngsters that make us amaze-balls! Each year the show raises money for charities that support children, locally and nationally. With bucket collections and raffles, which run throughout show week, we put our talents towards helping others. We've helped over 25 charities, many of them local, and have altogether raised over £22500!