Do you want to be in my gang! (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Do you want to be in my gang!

4:50pm Thursday 4th February 2010 in

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MUSIC, comedy and vibrant costumes – they will all be part of the spectacle at the 2010 Basingstoke Gang Show.

Celebrating its 30th year, the Basingstoke Scouts and Guides involved in this year’s extravaganza are busily rehearsing for the variety show which will entertain more than a thousand people at The Haymarket theatre from February 11 to 20.

Since the first Basingstoke production in 1980, more than 1,300 people across local Scout and Guiding Sections have been involved, and the show has been acknowledged as a leading UK gang show.

Basingstoke casts have performed in Holland at International Jamborees, in the Royal Albert Hall and at London’s O2 Arena.

Julie Allen, who is producing her fourth show this year, was first involved as a cast member in 1985, aged 13.

She said that, traditionally, gang shows have always been a variety performance with a mixture of music, dance and comedy sketches.

These are still included in the current show, but are polished with the help of modern technology.

Mrs Allen, 37, who is a creative skills instructor for the Scout Association, said: “The production team and I try to be more and more original with every show.

“We have some vibrant costumes, creative make-up effects, beautiful lighting, intelligent projection, effective scenery and props and clever sound effects.

“And we have music from many eras and various dance styles allowing us to be incredibly creative.

“The cast are young, talent ed and enthusiastic – what more could the audience want?

“We have something for the young and old!”

The shows were held every year until 1992, when they became biennial, and this year’s production is the 19th Basingstoke Gang Show.

Rehearsals for the 2010 show – which involves 38 Scouts, 23 Guides, 10 young leaders and five leaders as well as a host of other volunteers – have been running on Friday evenings and Sundays since last September. Cast members’ ages range from eight to 25.

The overall aim of the Gang Show is to promote Scouting and Guiding locally while entertaining audiences and giving young Scouts and Guides an opportunity for personal development by taking part in the production.