THIS year marks the 25th anniversary of the Basingstoke Gang Show, which promises to have audiences laughing out loud and dancing in their seats.

The show arrives at The Haymarket Theatre on February 11, when the 25th cast will take to the stage to entertain audiences for 11 shows, running until February 20.

A total of 64 local Scouts and Guides will perform in the show, and have been working tirelessly since September, with help from a production team all made up of volunteers.

During the last five months, the young cast members have been working hard to learn dance routines and memorise lines, whilst volunteers have painted the scenery and sewn sequins onto costumes in preparation for the theatre performances.

Basingstoke Gang Show 2016 is the first for new producer Kirsty Thomas, who has lots of new and fresh ideas.

This includes an exciting new stage layout.

Simon Bryne, musical director, said: "We're absolutely blown away by the amazing cast of BGS 2016, and genuinely staggered by just how talented, exuberant and lovely all the kids and young adults are."

The talent shown by this year’s cast is even more impressive, because they are youngest Basingstoke Gang Show Cast ever, with an average age of 13, and the youngest member being just eight-years-old.

A total of 86 young people auditioned for the show, who were whittled down to a cast of 64. 

Basingstoke Gang Show has been showcasing local talent and entertaining audiences for 25 shows over the last 50 years.

A total of 90,000 people have been entertained by Cubs, Scouts, Guides, Explorers and Young Leaders from Basingstoke and Deane for over half a century.

The show provides a platform for local Scouts and Guides to develop an array of life skills and to help enable them to reach their full potential, as they develop their self-confidence, self-discipline, projection, teamwork and trust.

The show is an entirely self-funded project and managed by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Gang Show, which runs biannually, has also been helping cast members to develop and grow as young people.

Mark Lawrence, cast member and assistant producer, said: “As a cast member for a decade now it is amazing to see how the show has grown from strength to strength. Raising money for established charities and showcasing the exceptional talent of Scouts and Guides in the Basingstoke area. Basingstoke Gang Show has provided me with thrilling opportunities, experiences, challenges, laughter and the best of friends that will stay with me for a lifetime.”

This year's variety show will include live music and choreographed dance routines, with a whopping 43 songs being performed, along with laugh-out-loud comedy.

Tickets are now on sale, priced £18 for adults and £12 for children. A £1 booking fee applies to each ticket.

Tickets can be bought from Anvil Arts Box Office on 01256 844244 email box.office@anvilarts.org.uk.

For more information visit basingstokegangshow.com.