Gang Shows

[Eamonn 61]

In England, Australia and other parts of the world Scout Gang Shows are still going strong and doing well.

There is a ton of material out there although I am a little unsure of the copyright.

These shows are a lot of fun for everyone and some have even been known to make money.

I have never seen or heard about one that has been staged on this side of the pond and I think that at some place and some time I have heard that the BSA does not allow them.

While I have no ambition to rush off and start one I was wondering if what I have heard is right and I'm curious as too why?

Also wondering if anyone has ever been to one or been in one?

I was in two at Fulham Town Hall staged by the Fulham District. It did wonders to bring the district together and did bring Scouting into the public eye. One of my fondest memories is one of the final song on the last night.

The curtain went up on a blacked out stage. One Cub Scout shone a small flashlight near his face and started to sing "Together" Then a few more Cub Scouts then some Boy Scouts until the stage was full of the entire cast Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts, and Adult Leaders - All singing :

Together, when we're all together you know how happy we are.

The world around us is every thing.

The sound of music the songs we sing.

And even after the coldest winter

The warmest summer arrives

We share together when we're together

The best years of our lives.

It is said that there is a Gang Show on every day of every week of every month in many countries. Why not here in the United States?

Eamonn

[packsaddle 753]

I remember participating in expositions back in the '60s but I think I am confused about just what a 'gang show' is. Could you give a little more explanation?

[Marty_Doyle 10]

From our fellow Scouters across the pond:

 

Ralph Reader - Mr Gang Show

 

Ralph Reader was born in Crewkerne in Somerset on May 25, 1903. As a young man, he moved to America where he became a leading light on Broadway. It was here that he developed his performing, writing, directing, dancing and other theatrical skills that rightly earned him the title of 'The Kid Dance Director".

It was during his time in New York that he worked with the legendary Al Jolson, who had the greatest impact on his life in the theatre.

In 1928, he returned to Britain and starred in the musical 'Good News'. Ralph specialised in choreography and directed the ensemble for many large West End shows, including musicals presented by Ivor Novello at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He also created the dances for a few film musicals in the 1930's starring the great Jessie Matthews. During World War 2, he was the creator and driving force behind the famous RAF Gang Shows, from which graduated a string of stars such as Peter Sellers, Tony Hancock, Dick Emery and many more.

Despite all this fame and fortune, he remained a loyal member of the Scout Movement and it was

in 1932 when his life changed forever, when he produced the first Gang Show, entitled "The

Gang's all Here!" This one-off fundraising event for the London Scout Council's campsite (Downe)

rapidly grew into a world-wide network of Gang Shows that we recognise and love today.

It is often said that, "every night of the year, somewhere in the world a Gang Show is playing".

Over the years, Ralph wrote hundreds of songs and numerous sketches that are used by Gang Shows everywhere. In 1974, Ralph, a man in his 70's, decided it was time to slow down and wrote and produced the 'Farewell London Gang Show', which was staged at the Gaumont State Theatre, London, to packed houses and tremendous acclaim.

Many awards and presentations were bestowed on Ralph throughout his life in recognition of his

commitment to Scouting and to the world of entertainment. Some of these awards included the

MBE and subsequently the CBE. He was made a Hon. Citizen of the State of Illinois in 1961, and

was awarded the Bronze Wolf from the World Scout Association in 1975.

Ralph died in 1982, but his everlasting legacy is the Gang Show. Ralph's unmistakable style of

writing and the talent of Scouts and Guides the world over prove that the greatest youth

entertainment the world has ever known continues to keep "riding along on the crest of a wave!"

wherever, whenever, a Gang Show is performed.

[Eamonn 61]

I was going to post a link but Marty has covered it all.

There is a lot of stuff on the web and UK- scoutbase has a lot of the rules that they have in place.

I was looking and was a little taken back at all the famous people who were in Gang Shows: Peter Sellers and Sir Richard Attenbrough and Sir Harry secombe. Some were not that well known outside the UK but they say that the Gang Shows gave them their yearning for grease paint.

Eamonn

PS I waited for the offers of a movie deal after my stint - 30 years and I'm still waiting.

 

[eagle90 125]

When I was a young lad (early 60's), Mr. Reader put on one of his Gang Shows for the Chicago Council. I think he did this two years in a row. It was held at Morton High School in Berwyn. My 6th grade teacher's husband was a DE for Chicago COuncil, and Mr. Reader came and talked to our class about life in the UK. The show was fantastic as I recall, and I still have a piece of sheet music called "I Belong" that was the theme of the show. I'll post the words, which were very inspirational, when I get a chance to dig thru my music collection.

[kmot61 10]

Hey! Where is that guy from 1960, Chicago? That was a wonderful experience, even including the moviescreen incident. On opening night an auditorium movie screen fell at the end of the first-act finale, and three of us --- including me --- wore purple heart medals (US military designation).

 

If I get my act together and find the cast photo I will post it on my web site. My dad kept the phone but I have to find it and scan it.

 

Tom Kane / GS, Chicago, 1960