Jump to content

Gang Show: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎United Kingdom: rm POV on one and seek source on another
Line 41: Line 41:
Gang Shows in Australia are generally organised on a regional basis.
Gang Shows in Australia are generally organised on a regional basis.


* '''Albury Gang Show''' - Started in 1965.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}
* '''Albury Gang Show''' - Started in 1965.located in southern riverina
* '''[http://adelaidegangshow.com/ Adelaide Gang Show]''' - started in 1961.
* '''[http://adelaidegangshow.com/ Adelaide Gang Show]''' - started in 1961.
* '''[[Brisbane Gang Show]]''' - started in 1952.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}
* '''[[Brisbane Gang Show]]''' - started in 1952.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

Revision as of 23:15, 25 November 2009

A Gang Show is an amateur theatrical performance where the cast is made up of youth members of Scouts and often Guides too, by invitation. Adult leaders help out, often backstage rather than on stage. The aim of the shows is to give young people in Scouting and Guiding the opportunity to develop performance skills and perform in a close to professional theatrical environment. Opportunities are also afforded to young people to work backstage, in front of house roles, and to perform as musicians in the show's musical items and in the orchestra.

Generally, youth members, adult leaders and volunteer helpers have to participate in many hours of planning, writing, composing, choreographing, building stage scenery and props, and making costumes stretching over several months before the actual performances as well as rehearsals. In order to reach what is perceived to be the required performance standard for a Gang Show, a high level of commitment is needed from all involved in the production and, to a marginally lesser extent, their families. A typical Gang Show would require participants to attend between 15 and 30 rehearsals in preparation for the actual performances.

In addition many Gang Shows are organised in the manner of a typical scouting/guiding activity with the participants grouped into patrols and attending special Gang Show camps and activities in order to develop and enhance team cohesion.

Frequently performances take place in commercial theatres over several days and are attended by the general public as well as participants' friends and families and other scouters and guiders. Nothwithstanding the amateur nature of the Gang Show, the cost of mounting a show with acceptable production values capable of attracting the ticket buying public has required some shows to become quite commercial in character with financial sponsorship being canvassed from local businesses.

Gang Show format

The format of a Gang Show is generally that of a variety show; song, dance and short comedy sketches are the most common items. The number of items varies (commonly ranging between 12 and 25): some are stand-alone, others are a series of songs conforming to a chosen theme, or a recurring set of skits with the same characters .

A typical show will include an opening number, five or six comedy sketches, several musical items with a mix of group and solo work, dance numbers, as well as a grand finale. Some of the material is well-known, other material is original to Gang Shows, sometimes even penned by the young people themselves.

The show's format was introduced by Ralph Reader, the first Gang Show producer, who went on to write many sketches and songs for Gang Shows, including the signature tune On the Crest of a Wave. Other "standards" Reader wrote include Strolling, Great Great Game, Gee, It's A Wonderful life, A Touch of Silver, Three Cheers, Show Time, Together, and Scout Hymn.

History

File:Gs75.jpg
Woven badge issued to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Gang Show productions

In 1931, Ralph Reader, then a Rover Scout who was 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 (now a Scout Association National Activity Centre). Rehearsals commenced under Reader's direction on 25 May 1932 (his 29th birthday).

Initially the show did not have a title, but during a rehearsal break, Reader recalled later, he asked a cast member if everyone was ready to which the response was "Aye, aye Skip, the gang's all here". 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.

Despite the fact that the show was not a sell out, enough money was raised to fund the swimming pool and the show was well received. 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.

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 iconic song internationally.

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).

Organisation

A typical show scarf - this one is from Cumberland Gang Show in Australia

When the Gang Show started in London in 1932, Reader decided that the cast should be organised as a Scout Troop; a successful arrangement which has continued ever since. Members of the first Gang Show Troop wanted an identifying feature, with somebody deciding on a scarlet scarf. The scarlet scarf has become a worldwide symbol of Gang shows, and to distinguish one show from another, an insignia in gold thread (usually a design related to the masks of comedy and tragedy and incorporating the show's name) is embroided into the point of the scarf. Some Gang Shows allow all cast and crew to wear the scarlet scarf, while others use this to identify performers and producers, while other crew wear a brown scarf. Members of Gang Shows in the United Kingdom are only allowed to wear the scarlet scarf if they are nationally recognised and successfully assessed every five years.

In 1972, the London Gang Show Fellowship was founded by Reader, so current and former members of the London show could keep in touch. This membership was later expanded to anyone interested in the Gang Shows and Ralph Reader.

Gang Shows around the world

Since the first Gang Show in London, productions have been organised in many countries around the world including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, United States, the Netherlands, and South Africa.[citation needed]. Whilst they are all individual in their character, they all share the general ethos of Reader's original concept and have some common elements, including a finale performance of Reader's Gang Show 'anthem', Crest of a Wave.

Australia

File:Cgshow2006.jpg
Cover of the 2006 Cumberland Gang Show program

Gang Shows in Australia are generally organised on a regional basis.

Ireland

New Zealand

United Kingdom

File:Kings lyn gs 1993 badge.jpg
Woven badge issued by the Kings Lynn Gang Show to commemorate the 1993 production

United States

On the Crest of a Wave and other Gang Show standards

We'll do the hailing

On the Crest of a Wave has become the signature tune for many Scout Gang Shows throughout the world and is usually performed at the end of a performance. On the Crest of a Wave was written by Ralph Reader for use in the original London Gang Show and has hand actions associated with it that vary from show to show. Many Gang Shows choose only to sing the chorus (traditionally twice, the first time with gusto, the second time part-quiet and staccato, part with gusto once more) but there are also two verses.

Many shows[weasel words] have their own signature tunes also. Some shows use Ralph Reader's "Together" (Hornsby, Harpenden and York Gang Shows), "Gee, It's A Wonderful Life" (Melbourne, Adelaide, Sunraysia and Worthing Gang Shows), "we've got alot to be thankfull for"(Edinburgh Gang Show) and "Making Memories" (St Albans). "Silver on the Scarlet", written by Ralph Reader and long serving Brisbane Gang Show producer Hugh "Kirra" McKee, is used as the signature tune of the Brisbane Gang Show and may be sung by any Gang Show which has achieved its 25th season. In Australia, tunes by Peter Marriott (Scarves of Blue, 52 Weeks) are theme songs for Camberwell Showtime and South Metro Showtime respectively, whilst Whitehorse Showtime uses Reader's "So As We Go Along". Strzelecki Showtime uses Ralph Reader's "Touch Of Silver" as their theme. Melbourne Gang Show sometimes uses Alex Boemo's tune "These Golden Days" for special show anniversaries, as a finale number.

See also

Template:Scoutingportal

References

  1. ^ The National Star Scout Show
  • Reader, Ralph This is The Gang Show, C. Arthur Pearson Ltd [London], 1957
  • Reader, Ralph Ralph Reader Remembers, Bailey Brothers and Swinfen [London], 1975

Scouting: Events: Gang Shows at Curlie World Wide Forum

Global Gangshow

History

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gang_Show&oldid=327947353"