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.

 The first production, under the title The Gang's All Here ran between 30 October and 1 November 1932 at the Scala Theatre in central London. Baden-Powell, the founder of scouting, approached Reader and persuaded him to produce another show in 1933. This show was produced with the title The Gang Comes Back and ran for a week.  

One of the Gang Show Records

A tradition had been born and Reader continued to write and produce the London Gang Show. In 1934 the show became known as The Gang Show and the song Crest of a Wave was performed for the first time, becoming over the years the Show's international anthem. In 1937 "a bunch of Boy Scouts" as one writer described them, became the first amateurs to appear at a Royal Variety Performance. They shared billing with Gracie Fields, George Formby and Max Miller.

Ralph Reader in the
 iconic red scarf

 Members of the first Gang Show wanted an identifying feature, with somebody deciding on a red scarf or necker. The red scarf has become a worldwide symbol of Gang shows, and to distinguish one show from another, an insignia in gold thread is embroidered into the point of the scarf. Members of Gang Shows in the United Kingdom are only allowed to wear the scarlet scarf if they are nationally recognised as up to the required standard.

Since the first Gang Show in London, productions have been organised in many countries around the world including USA, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Mauritus and New Zealand. Whilst they are all individual in their character, they all share the general ethos of Reader's original concept and have some common elements, often including a finale performance of Reader's Gang Show 'anthem', Crest of a Wave.

It’s said that ‘Somewhere in the world a gang show is being performed every day’. In some cases the form and content have been altered slightly whilst others still successfully maintain the traditional format. One thing, however, is certain - there will always be a place in Gang Shows for the sketches and songs of Ralph Reader.

So what does this mean for us? Well it's the 80th aniversary this year, and in true gang show tradition, we like to do things with a bang. In 1972, the Queen and Prince Philip attended the 40th Anniversary Gang Show and, in all, members of the Royal Family attended the Show on no less than nine different occasions. In 1937 the London Gang Show achieved the distinction of being the first amateur production to have a Royal Command Performance (an honour that was repeated in 1957 and 1964).

 
While we think the Queen may be a bit busy this year, with the Jubilee and all, we're not going to let the occasion pass by quietly. A special one off gang show is being staged at the Birmingham Hippodrome on 10th June 2012, featuring 150 scouts and guides from 35 Gang Shows across the UK. We're sending four of our finest members to join the cast and it looks like its going to be a amazing show. For more information and to buy tickets, go to their website here. Remember to say which gang show you're from though! 


Next week we'll look more at the great man himself, Ralph Reader, but until then remember...

Whatcha Gotta do?

Smile!!!