On the Crest of a Wave for the 50th Edinburgh Gang Show

01/07/2009

Rehearsals underway as the Gang Show Director urges past members to join in the celebrations.

A programme of special events to celebrate the 50th Edinburgh Gang Show has been announced as the rehearsals get underway. The popular show, performed by Edinburgh’s Scouts and Guides, has been a highlight of the King’s Theatre calendar since 1960, with over three thousand people having been involved in the famous production, which is renowned for topical comedy, spectacular staging and a wide variety of music.

Mike Walker, who is leading the golden jubilee celebrations says: “Fifty Edinburgh Gang Shows is a time for celebration. We have an opportunity to pay tribute to the past and look forward to the future of Gang Show at the King’s in Edinburgh. Gang Show is a unique additional activity for young people in Scouting and Girlguiding, which gives tremendous experiences, and promotes self-confidence and teamwork whilst having fun! To appear on a professional stage is an adventure for any young person and this year that adventure is just a bit more special!”

Events to celebrate the 50th Gang Show include a gala performance, a reunion, a Spring Ball, and a camp at Bonaly Outdoor Centre. The Gang have embraced social networking, with groups on Facebook and Twitter, in an effort to spread the word about their birthday celebrations.

The Edinburgh Gang Show started in 1960 and quickly established itself as one of the best Gang Shows in the United Kingdom. Over the years the show has appeared on STV, performed at the London Palladium, the Wimbledon Theatre, His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen and in various other shows, as well as providing entertainment at selected Scouting and Girlguiding events.

The Edinburgh Show has produced some famous faces over the years, including celebrity and Joseph star Craig Chalmers, pictured below centre. He says: "The Gang Show gave me my first experience singing to an audience at the King’s Theatre which years later, I have been lucky enough to return to leading the tour of Joseph. I applaud the efforts of everyone involved past and present to present a landmark 50th show and would encourage young people to join in the fun and gain some valuable stage experience".

Cast member and Scout Matthew Hall, 13 (pictured below right), says: “Being in Gang Show is awesome! We’ll make jokes about things like the trams, MPs’ expenses, Hearts, Hibs, … you name it, we’ll make a joke about it - which is cool!” Phoebe Weller, a 15 year old Explorer Scout, has been in the cast for four years is also looking forward to the 50th show: “Gang Show is a great way to make new friends and to perform on the King’s stage is a dream come true!”

Gang Show Director Andy Johnston, 40, is confident that the audiences will enjoy the show and be amazed at the talent of the young cast. He says: “If you think that we are going to sing old fashioned campfire songs, deliver corny gags whilst wiggling our woggles, I can assure you – we won’t! The material is bang up-to-date, challenging and, put simply, fantastic. The cast of over 200 young people are ready to deliver a knockout performance and I can tell you now – they will! It’s very exciting!” Andy joined the show in 1980 as a 12 year old Scout and progressed through the cast, spending a few years working behind the scenes and ultimately became the seventh Edinburgh Gang Show Director in 2003.

One of Andy’s challenges for this year, aside from staging the biggest amateur show in Scotland, is to track down as many of the original 1960 Edinburgh Gang Show cast members as possible. He says: “I want to pay tribute to these gentlemen who set the standard of Gang Show in Edinburgh and to thank and acknowledge them in our unique Scouting and Gang Show way. I urge anyone who was involved in the first show, or who knows someone who was, to get in touch with me via Scout HQ by calling 0131 229 3756 or by emailing via our website www.edinburgh-gangshow.com. I’d also like as many ex-Gangsters from all years to get back in touch and come to the 50th Show… come and join the party!”

Edinburgh Gang Show 2009 - the 50th Show
King's Theatre
17 - 21 November
0131 529 6000

www.kingstheatre.org.uk