The Worthing Gang Show is back at the Pavilion this Easter. Gee, It’s a Wonderful Life from Worthing Scouts and Guides is bigger and better than ever in 2024. We’re taking a look at the history of the Worthing Gang Show and having a chat with Mark Scott, Deputy District Commissioner for Worthing Scouts.
What is the Gang Show?
The Gang Show is a revue-style variety show from local Guide and Scout groups of all ages. Worthing Cubs, Brownies, Scouts, Guides, Explorers and Rangers have been entertaining the community for over 50 years. The performances include musical acts, dance, comedy, sketches, drama and more. Not only does a Gang Show entertain the local community, but it also acts as a learning opportunity. The young people involved can develop performance skills and experience stage production.
History of the Gang Show
The format for the Gang Show was created by a British actor and life-long Scouting member, Ralph Reader. The first Gang Show, The Gang’s All Here, opened at the Scala Theatre in London in 1932. The show did not originally have a name, but during a rehearsal break Reader recalled asking a performer if the cast were ready to begin, to which the response was “Aye, aye Skip, the gang’s all here”.
Throughout the 1930s the Gang Show grew in popularity in the UK. Reader was recruited to conduct undercover work for the Royal Air Force at the breakout of WWII, under the guise of running RAF Gang Show concert parties to boost morale. Reader continued to produce RAF Gang Shows throughout the war, which entertained an estimated 350,000 servicemen. Since the 1950s the Gang Show has spread globally to a number of countries where the Scouting movement is found. Completely run by volunteers the shows often help raise money for local causes or the Scouting troops themselves.
The Red Scarf
Original Gang Show cast members wanted a memento of their achievement and a red scarf with an embroidered gold ‘GS’ in Reader’s handwriting was designed. Now, the red scarf has become a symbol of the best of Scout Shows worldwide. For example, in the UK the red scarf is awarded to Gang Shows that have reached a level of excellence. Venue, production values, and performance are taken into account and the shows are reassessed every 5 years to maintain standards. Receiving a red scarf represents hard work, commitment and pride. Worthing Gang Show was awarded a red scarf by Ralf Reader himself in 1971 and has held it ever since.
Worthing Gang Show
1967 marked the Diamond Jubilee of the Scouting movement. Worthing Scouts and Guides performed the town’s first official Gang Show Gee, It’s a Wonderful Life at the Pavilion Theatre in that same year. The Gang Shows continued annually at the Pavilion until its temporary closure for refurbishment in 1979. At this point, the Gang Show was moved to the Connaught, requiring a longer run due to the theatres’ differing capacities.
In 2007 the Worthing Gang Show was in its 40th year, coinciding with 100 years of Scouting, and 75 years since the first London Gang Show. Some of the original Worthing cast joined the show for special performances.
In more recent years the Gang Show has returned to the Pavilion. 2024’s Gang Show is set to be bigger and better than ever, with nearly 100 young people taking part. We caught up with Mark Scott, District Commissioner and Producer to talk about this year’s show and his experiences of the Worthing Gang Show.
Q&A with Mark Scott, Worthing Scouts Deputy District Commissioner
This year’s Gang have been working hard. We have Musical numbers about Space, Paris, Rock & Roll and the Junior Gang are doing some Roald Dahl inspired numbers. All well known songs plus the lesser known Ralph Reader! Some excellent front of curtain sketches. Two numbers include British Sign Language and Makaton sign language. A challenge for the Gang given to them by Kara and Lucy. For my generation there’s even some 80’s thrown in!
Each year we start from scratch! Only 3 songs ever repeat; Crest of a Wave, Gee, its’ a Wonderful Life and the National Anthem. They are always in the Finale of the Show. We are already thinking now about content for 2026 as we finish off setting 2024.
Performers will be from 7 years old with the oldest cast member being 19 years old. The Senior Gang have rehearsed nearly every Sunday since the start of September. The Junior Gang have been rehearsing on Sunday mornings since November. It is a true commitment from all of them which is amazing.
We are always after ideas from the Gang, however mad they are. We take it from there and it just grows. The main contemporary dance number for this show was set by Kara [the director] but with input from all the dancers involved at the rehearsals.
The Worthing Gang Show has always been of a high standard and we take pride in maintaining that standard set by our predecessors. Numbers are polished until we are happy with the performance standard. There are guidelines issued by The Scout Association on Gang Shows and we pride ourselves in making sure we follow them closely.
For all the adults involved it is all about the young people. You get to show week and the buzz backstage is amazing. You just feel the cast lift, the tabs open and then bang, they’re off. Feeling that buzz and seeing all the smiling faces is worth it. They are having a great time! It’s what we are here for.
It’s more than a memory. You make Friends for life! Once you are in the Gang you make friendships that are eternal. Ex-Gang members are distributed all over the country and farther afield. As a family we drove up to see the Derby Gang Show a few weeks ago as a friend is now the Choreographer of “Flying High”. Well worth the visit to see another Gang Show and to meet up with Lucy [Junior Gang Producer & Senior Gang Assistant Dir/Choreographer].
We now like to support local Charities that could use some extra visibility and also get the chance to do some fundraising. This year’s chosen charity is Sight Support Worthing and the charity for 2022 was Andy’s Angels. Both are close to me for personal reasons.
You can see Gee, It’s a Wonderful Life at the Pavilion Theatre April 10th-13th.