South East Berkshire Gangshow

Our Producers Shirley & Pauline

Well, What a year ! Not only are we celebrating 100 years of Scouting but also 75 years of Gang Show

This Year we have quite a few new faces not only on stage but behind the scenes as well: Haven't they done well !!

A Breath of fresh air seems to have wafted in with new ideas and enthusiasm: it's Great !

Ralph Reader produced the first ever Gang Show in London in 1932 and actually visited our Show in 1981. He came backstage to speak to the Gang and soon had them feeling really proud to be part of our Show.

In this Centenary year we've invited our youngest members, The Beavers, to join in with the Gang, So please make them feel welcome.

So much planning goes into a Show like ours and then all too soon it's over, So Please enjoy every minute !

Remember, Wotcha Gotta do ?............. SMILE !!!!!!! 

Our DC and Cast Member

Conan Fryer

I am relatively new to the show, but have I think been captured by the Gang Show Bug! I was in the last show in Winchester district in 1990 (before the Theatre closed for refurbishment and to move the ghosts out!) otherwise my only stage experience was from school, where we did a lot of old time ‘British Music Hall’ shows. It is a wonderful gang to be involved with, and gives me an opportunity to finish the weekend on a high note. I usually find that I have the songs going round my head wherever I am driving off to work on a Monday morning, and if it has been a particularly good Sunday they might be there still by Friday! This certainly makes the M6 traffic queues more bearable, though if practising the words can get some strange looks sometimes from other queuers! The best bit though is to see the amazing talent of our cast, it is really good to see so many young people particularly being so bold and showing what they can do. We certainly have some with GS Factor!
Now I have taken on the role of District Commissioner, I am proud in the belief that this is one of the jewels of our district shared with SE Berkshire, and something to be extremely proud of. It takes a lot of hard work and support by everyone to keep it all going; it is really good to know that behind the gang there is one big professional team. I would like to take off my hat to Shirley and the team for such a fantastic amount of commitment and professional show management. Let’s keep this all going for many years to come!

Cast Member

Suzanne Boardman

What being in the Gangshow means to me by Suzanne Boardman Aged 17

I have been in the Gangshow for nine years now and have always enjoyed it because of the great people you get a chance to perform with.  I particularly love doing the sketches with my group of friends and getting to dress up in some weird costumes.  It is so exhilarating  being able to act, sing and dance on stage in front of the audience after rehearsing for months. But, I think the best thing I’ve taken from the show is a chance to laugh at myself, and also with other people.

Our Longest Serving Cast Member

Bill Heffill

Bill is the only person in the Gang who has performed in every show to date!  What a record!

Bill remembers the very first show which was held at The Brakenhale School, in Rectory Lane, Easthampstead.  Bill was not a member of scouting at the time, but  was approached by Len and Nobby Clarke in a factory where Bill worked.  Richard Shirley was the producer of the show at this time and he was short of men for the show, and Bill was asked to play the part of a Solicitor.  This got Bill well and truly ‘hooked’ and the rest is history.

Over the years Bill has played many different roles and appeared in exerts from many shows:

Hans Christian Anderson, Phantom of the Opera, The mirror in Cinderella, Tin Man from Wizard of Oz, Grease, Singing in the Rain, Flanagan and Allen, Tramp,  Penguin, Ostrich Rider, Air Hostess, It’s Raining Men, Santa Claus, Barnum, Granddad - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,  Bert – Mary Poppins, Sand dance, Hat- Beauty and the Beast,  The Pink Panther, Wandering Star, Ventriloquist, Beaver........ and Dame Edna!

Of course, we all know that Bill is going play Fagin in the 2007 show.

Bill has also helped make various props over the years too including a two man camel, crocodiles, Lanterns and torches, giraffes, head dresses for the Lion King, a Gnu, a pink panther and an exploding car!

We asked Bill what changes he had noticed over the years. He replied that the Gangshow has moved with the times as Ralph Reader would have done if he had still been here. Bill remembers Ralph Reader watching the show and the favourable comments that were made by him.

Bill also commented that the scenery is far  more sophisticated than it used to be, and especially liked the car that was made for Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang .

One of the main highlights from his Gangshow career is singing All I ask of You, from The Phantom of the Opera with Shirley but Bill says the whole 36 years has been a tremendous experience, one that we would recommend to all new comers and would certainly do all over again.

Our Stage Director

Russ Bryant

I joined the show in 1980 originally making Props for the show since then I have gone on to design sets and help with the production of scenery. I have even appeared on Stage once or twice(Thanks to those who keep reminding me of the Weather Girls). During the week of the show it is my job to ensure that the show runs to time and to make the announcments at the start and in the interval. The show is run to a book this being the complete script and running order of the show. In this book I annotate various radio calls from queueing sound and lighting to calling the cast. Being involved in the show is a major commitment as it does tend to take up a lot of your spare time. Even when just out shopping you tend to look at things and try to work out if it can be incorporated into scenery etc, I can't remember the last time I went to see a show and actually watched the performance, Normally I am looking at scenery or lights or Sound. Over the last few years I have made our own curtains for use at the theatre each curtain measures 7 Mtrs Square and there are 2 in each set we currently have a Red set and a Navy Blue set. I was also instrumental in the production of our very own Star cloth this being a Massive 6 Metres x 10 Metres. This year as you wil probably see I have Set up this Web Site to promote the show