The first Scout Gang Show was performed in London during 1932. It was produced by Ralph Reader, a well known composer and choreographer of the day. He had become successful in America, producing shows on Broadway. When Ralph (an ex-Scout) was asked by the Scout Movement to produce a Scout Show he readily agreed. The style of the show was to be a revue containing songs, dancing and sketches and afterwards, the Daily Mail wrote, "The best revue in the West End". Gang Show was born.

During the war years Ralph was asked to produce similar shows for the RAF to raise morale. Over the years, both the Scout and RAF Gang Shows have played a significant part of many early careers in show business - Tony Hancock, Dick Emery, Roy Hudd and Peter Sellers, to name but a few. Since then, Scout Gang Shows have snowballed all over the world. The Scouts and Guides of all nationalities produce high quality shows that provide first class entertainment. A platform for the youth of today enabling them to contribute to charity as well as their own funds.

It was once said that "Every night of every year, somewhere in the world a Gang Show is playing". Today, this is very much an understatement.

The BASINGSTOKE GANG SHOW started in 1980 and now takes place every two years at the Haymarket Theatre with a cast of 90 Scouts and Guides and Cub Scouts. Over the years the standard of the show has risen to the position of being acknowledged as one of the best shows in the country. The audience of well over 4,000 now come from literally all over the United Kingdom and has regular visitors from Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.

In 1984 the Show was awarded the coveted Red Scarf and Gang Show emblem which is only awarded to shows that perform to a consistently high standard. In 1987 a gala performance raised money to build a children's play garden at the Basingstoke District Hospital.

A landmark in 1995 was the invitation to stage a show and closing ceremony of the International Jamborette in Haarlem, Holland - an honour for the town and the nation. This was a mammoth exercise in logistics alone - the outdoor stage and arena to seat 3000, 152,000 watts of lighting, a full sound system, scenery, costumes, props, the full Gang of 150 and their camping equipment - not to mention the actual show that was meticulously planned and rehearsed. The end result was a tribute to all involved. The audience drawn from 29 countries left with vivid memories of images and an experience that they will treasure for a lifetime.

The 1996 Show was awarded the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (Southern Region) Supreme Accolade for Excellence in Youth Theatre - Yet another milestone!

To produce a show of such high quality requires a wider Gang of volunteers behind the scenes and Basingstoke is fortunate enough to have such a team. The support of the local community is invaluable who help in whatever way they can and it is very gratefully received, considering every production now costs in excess of £30,000 to stage.

The BASINGSTOKE GANG SHOW whilst retaining the tradition of the original concept, approaches the millennium with material old, new and in many cases original. It is performed with the same sparkle and enthusiasm as those produced by "Mr Gang Show" himself, Ralph Reader.

Following on from their dazzling performance at "Into the Spotlight", a gala at the Royal Albert Hall, London and their award winning 2000 show: The Basingstoke Gang Show presented their original and entertaining variety show in 2002.

The 2002 show made use of a top 2001 single, featured a bit of local history, some nostalgia and an interesting variation on continental take away food, also a diet coke break especially for the ladies and a surprising appearance of a Dr Who Dalek. For the youngsters we had some fairy tales and an American influence.

We have had some interesting comments about our marketing material - a surging wave. The theme tune for Gang Shows is Crest of a Wave. In Basingstoke we will take you beyond the waves!

TO BE CONTINUED