Figure 1.--This English Gang Show skit was performed in 1933 at one of the early shows.

The English Scout Gang Show was conceived in England and became a beloved part of the Scouting program there. The London First Gang Show's curtain went up in 1932 and made its way into Scouting History. It was the brains of Ralph Reader that produced and directed the first Gang Show, which ran for three nights at Londons Scala Theatre and was a immediate success. Ralph not only produced the shows, but also wrote over four hundred songs and over three hundred sketches that put them together. One of the most famous, Crest of a Wave, was one of the first and can be heard in almost every Gang Show across the world.

Local Shows

After the first Gang Show in London, many local Scout groups started up Gang. Some lasted only briefly. Others endured. Still others were revived years later after the first few performances an interest fizzeled out. The first "Boy Scout" show in Bristol, for example, was performed in 1937 at the Y.M.C.A., in Colston Street and called "Extracts from the Gang Shows". Then two years later a second show was produced at the Victoria Rooms entitled "Stepping Out". The next County show in Bristol was to be thirty years later in 1971 and the start of the present twenty-eight year run of Gang Shows.

Program

Highlights from one English Gang Show provide a good idea of the range of these programs.
1967: The first Show included "Dr And The Little Black Bag", "Happy Land," and "Call of the Open Road". The cast of 49 people set them well on the way to 1998 with shows on Thursday, Friday and two on Saturday.
1968: We ran for five nights from Monday through to Friday. One of the highlights of this show was an unforgettable performance of Egypt featuring Wally Budge - who was one of the early mainstays of our Gang.
1969: We ran from the Monday to Thursday, missed out Friday, and then had two shows on the Saturday. This Show featured the renowned tongue-twister Bambazoolian Way, as well as one of the show favourites Meet the Navy.
1971: This year saw the performance of our first play "Where There’s a Will There’s a Way" written by Ron Meyer. Tickets cost 20p, 30p and 40p--if you can beliecve it.
1972: In this Show they first started using backcloths and spent two happy days trekking around London trying to find where they had been delivered to.
1974: This year saw the final London Gang Show and four members of the Camberwell Gang appeared in the cast. They were also privileged to have Ralph visit one of the performances in this year. Mbr> 1976: This show (the 10th) gained us the coveted Gang Show Emblem which we proudly wear on our scarf. Numbers included "Everybody Must Have Someone," "Halloween" and "On The Way Home". The Gang comprised over 100.
1977: They performed "The Adventures of Jim Hawkins" - another musical play written by Ron Meyer.
1979: Hong Kong Blues, My Dog and Russian Salad were included in the 1979 Show when for the first time individual numbers in the programme were sponsored, a tradition (and fund-raiser) that we have kept going ever since.
1980: Terry Smith and Lepke, an alsatian, represented the local Police in appearing on stage for us in Boys in Blue in 1980, and by handcuffing himself to Ron we managed to get the producer to make a rare stage appearance.
1982: Sadly in 1982 Ralph Reader (the innovator of the Scout Gang Show) died after a short illness. Our Show included a tribute to Ralph, as well as Italiano, Highland Swing and Song in My Heart. Our programme cover featured "Mr. Gang Show".
1983: The Chief Scout, Michael Walsh, attended the Show as a special guest on the Thursday night. This Show also included our most stunning piece of scenery ever when we built a replica of the deck of HMS Victory on stage.
1985: We performed a third play written by Ron Meyer. This one was titled The Quest of The Eagles. A review of this play appeared in the April edition of Scouting Magazine.
1986: A Cub item was first included in 1986 when they performed "Billy’s Toys".
1987: Fittingly in the 21st Show, which after 20 years was Ron Meyer’s last as Producer, our Finale number was We’ve Been Making Memories. To mark the 21st year our first act Finale number was Celebration.
1988: Kevin Murphy takes over the reigns as Producer. Reg Hatt performed Getting Over - his specialist item, in 1988. Other highlights included the excllent Milkmaids, Thriller and the hilarious Rooks. The show also included a 15 minute “fill-in” solo by Philip Andrews when the stage doors got locked and none of the cast could get on stage. On his next entry a light fell off the wall.
1989: To commemorate the King & Country first act finale, the programme for 1989 included a foldout Union Jack. The show also included Romany Road and Morris Dancers. Our Showtime number was "Jesus Christ Superstar".
1990: A superb show included many highlights, including the rendition of "Starlight Express" and the brilliant "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Polka Dot Bikini", which had the male members of the cast wearing the revealing garments.
1991: Our Silver Jubilee Show in 1991 included Spring, South Pacific and Stepping Out. Our most unusual prop appeared this year when weborrowed a coffin from a funeral directors for one number.
1992: Our first Beaver number appeared in the Show in 1992 when we also performed Top of the "Morning Feeling, Schooldays" (with our version of Another Brick in the Wall) and The Hero.
1993: Highlights from 1993 included It’s A Lie, The Baby Show and The Case of Mrs Mace. For a number of years the Show had been having financial problems and we took a year off in 1994 to reconsider our future.
1995: The move to St Giles Hall for 1995 provided us with lots of challenges. Finding a pianist was the biggest problem, and this caused continuity problems during rehearsals. In the show our numbers included Keen, Keen, Keen, On the Way Home and Flower of Scotland.
1996: In 1996 we put on Watch With Mother, What We Turned Out To Be and London Pride. We also managed to blow the main fuse box in the hall, which gave us all a lot to panic about. The first act finale finishesd with just one spotlight working.
1997: Kevin Murphy announces he is to step down as Producer after 9 years. The cast do him proud with "Wheelie Bin Blues", "Summer Holiday" and "Men In Tights".
1998: Well what a fabulous show. Highlights included Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (with flying car), When Saturday Comes (with football dance to Match of the Day theme) and Liberty with the stirring songs Freedom, Thanksgiving Day and Happy Land.
1999: Our 32nd Show, The Last Gang Show of the Millennium, saw us introduce many new innovations in lighting and effects, allowing us to use the venue to its best advantage. Highlights of the Show included The Chances of Anything Coming From Mars, Down in the Jungle and Union, which featured songs representing the countries of the United Kingdom. Our finale was highlighted with the stirring Scout Hymn.

Sample Skit

Here is a sample skit from an English Gang Show:

(A YOUNG MAN ENTERS. HE IS DRESSED IMMACULATELY IN DINNER JACKET, ETC. HE IS WEARING GLASSES, WHICH PERCH PRECARIOUSLY ON THE END OF HIS NOSE. HE WALKS TO CENTRE STAGE).

Charles Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. My name is Charles and in a determined effort to bring a cultural perspective to tonight's proceedings, it is with great pleasure I present to you a dramatic recitation from the works of Mr. William Shakespeare, the piece in particular I wish to draw your attention to is Henry V's patriotic call to war before the Battle of Harfleur. So then, without further to do, Henry V's speech from Act 3 Scene 2.

(HE COMMENCES TO READ....... BUT IS SOON INTERRUPTED).

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility,
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger.
Stiffen the sinews, conjure up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect,

Harry Hey, Charlie, wot you doing?

Charles Kindly refrain from calling me Charlie. I've told you before, my name is Charles! And I'm introducing the Ladies and Gentlemen, to the more cultured aspects of entertainment, that of the dramatic recitation.

Harry Wot, you mean poetry and all that sort of stuff.

Charles Not exactly "that sort of stuff", but something along those lines.

Harry 'Ere, I know a poem, Charlie. Can I tell it to the people, can I?

Charles Well, I'm not sure. Alright, if you must, as long as it isn't too rude.

Harry It ain't rude, honest. Here goes, then. A poem by Harry Smith- that's me that is. (HARRY CLEARS IS THROAT). The boy stood on the burning deck, his heart was all a quiver He gave a cough, his leg dropped off and floated down the river. Boom Boom. Charles Is that it? (HARRY NODS, SMILING) Kindly leave the stage, before I resort to violence. (HARRY LEAVES) Now, where was I? Ah, yes, Henry V by William Shakespeare. (CHARLES STARTS AGAIN BUT HE IS AGAIN INTERRUPTED). Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, Hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit To his full height. On, on, you noblest English, Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof, Fathers that have in these parts from morn till even fought, And sheathed their swords for lack of argument.

Danny Hello, Chas. Harry tells me your reading some poems and stuff to the people. He says you need some help, `cos what you're reading ain't very funny and they look as though they need cheering up. I know a joke. Can I tell it?

Charles No, you can't, you're spoiling my performance. And the Producer will not be happy with you messing about on stage.

Danny Oh, go on. You'll like it!

Charles Go on then, quickly. But only if you're very quick.

Danny I say, my dogs got no nose! (DANNY PULLS OUT A TOY DOG, WITH NO NOSE).

Charles How does he smell?

Danny Terrible!!! (DANNY SMELLS THE DOG, SQUIRTS SOME DEODORANT ON HIS PAW AND CHUCKS IT OVER HIS SHOULDER. HE STARTS LAUGHING, CHARLES GLARES AT HIM ANGRILY AND POINTS FOR HIM TO LEAVE THE STAGE. DANNY MOVES SHEEPISHLY, SLOWLY OFF STAGE)

Charles Ladies and Gentlemen, I must apologise for the poor behaviour of these young men. I am sure you realise that unlike us, they do not appreciate the finer points of English Literature. Once again, William Shakespeare....(CHARLES AGAIN READS FROM THE BOOK)

Dishonour not your mothers ; now attest That those whom you called fathers did beget you. Be copy now to men of grosser blood, And teach them how to war. And you, good yeomen, Whose limbs were made in England, show us here The mettle of your pasture;

(BUT THE INEVITABLE HAPPENS AGAIN. STUART ENTERS WALKS UP TO CHARLES AND SAYS.......)

Stuart How do you keep an idiot in suspense?

Charles I don't know, how do you keep an idiot in suspense?

Stuart I'll tell you tomorrow!! (STUART RUNS OFF STAGE, CHARLES CHASING HIM. CHARLES RETURNS TO CENTRE STAGE).

Charles (NOW LOOKING VERY ANGRY)........William V by Henry Shakespeare. Oops, sorry, no. Henry V by William Shakespeare. (CHARLES TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND CONTINUES)

Let us swear that you are worth your breeding which I doubt not, For there is none of you so mean and base That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.

HARRY, DANNY AND STUART COME ON TOGETHER, FACE THE FRONT AND RECITE....)

Harry, Danny and Stuart (together): A poem by the Gruesome Threesome Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, a bear was Fuzzy Wuzzy. When Fuzzy Wuzzy lost his hair, he wasn't fuzzy, wuz `e.

Charles That's it. I've had enough. You've ruined everything. I've been rehearsing for weeks. I'm going to tell the Producer, you're in big trouble now.

(CHARLES THROWS DOWN THE BOOK AND WALKS OFF).

Stuart I said it would work, didn't I. No self control, that's his problem.

Harry Yeah, who wants to listen to that stuff, it's boring. I reckon we did everybody a favour.

Stuart (MIMICKING CHARLES) "Henry V by William Shakespeare". Give me the Beano any day! These people wants livening up a bit, don't they. That bloke at the front was nodding off. Hey, now we've got the stage to ourselves we can do something really good of our own.

Harry Yeah, but what can we do?

Stuart I don't know what do you wanna do?

Harry I don't mind what do you wanna do? Stuart I'm not sure, it's up to you. We could sing a song. How about it?

Harry Nah, you're joking. I'm not singing in front of all these people. I get stage fright. I know let's ask Danny.

(DANNY HAS PICKED UP THE BOOK AND IS LEAFING THROUGH THE PAGES. HE IS GENUINELY INTERESTED IN WHAT IS WRITTEN. THE OTHER TWO ARE WATCHING HIM, WONDERING WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH HIM. AFTER AWHILE DANNY FACES THE FRONT LOOKS AT THE AUDIENCE AND SAYS.......)

Danny I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start. The game's afoot. Follow your spirit, and upon this charge Cry, 'God for Harry' ! England and Saint George !'

(HARRY AND STUART STARE DUMBFOUNDED AT DANNY)