Scout and Guide Gang Show returns to the Palace Theatre in 2022!
Check out our sneak peek video and interview with cast, below!
Scouts and Guides from the Southend area are back performing in It’s a Date 2022
REVIEW
Check out our sneak peek video and interview with cast, below!
Scouts and Guides from the Southend area are back performing in It’s a Date 2022
REVIEW
After a 2 year gap and a world-wide pandemic, the Scout and Guide Gang Show returned on Wednesday evening to the Palace Theatre, Westcliff as if they'd never been away.
Larger than ever the cast, derived from Scout and Guide Units across Southend, took over the theatre's stage with confidence and aplomb and entertained the first night audience with fierce enthusiasm.
Most variety shows would leave the best act of the evening until last but the It's a Date cast gave us the best at the beginning AND at the end of the show! Musical theatre was a theme that ran through the evening and the Gang kicked off with a medley from Les Miserables, with resounding voices, accompanied with some fabulous melodies. Massive kudos to the Musical Director here and for also doing a great job conducting the band in the pit on opening night.
A lot of these youngsters have never even been on stage before and first night nerves can often hinder performances but these guys have clearly been well drilled and despite Covid pressures restricting rehearsals, it's certainly not stopped this talented bunch putting on an epic show. Everyone looked super confident.
Musical numbers intertwined with dance and comic sketches kept the audience's attention gripped to the stage and I really enjoyed the homage to Musical Theatre with numbers from shows such as Wicked, Dear Evan Hanson and Cinderella. The Zoom Class sketch was a definite insight to how tricky it must have been during lockdown for the children, as well as teachers, was very funny. The cast also devised a rather touching sketch celebrating our frontline 'heroes' and sang a quite beautiful song in recognition of fundraising hero, Captain Tom, which induced a few goosebumps moments. I am sure that Captain Tom would have been absolutely beaming had he still been around to witness such a fabulous tribute.
Of course, the show cannot go on without the support of Leaders, Backstage, Stage Managers, Techies - Sound and Lighting, Props, Dressers, Costume, Musical Director, Show Director, Front of House and of course, the families of the cast members who have all worked so hard to get the show up and running.
Every scene transition was quick and smooth and the flow of the show never faltered. An amazing achievement working with such a large cast. (I believe it's around 60!)
As the show came to a rousing end with the old favourite, Riding Along on the Crest of a Wave, I suddenly realised that I'd had a huge grin on my face throughout the whole evening; not only because it was such a fun show but also because the cast were also looking so happy to be performing for us. It's been a really tough time for the theatre industry during lockdown; they were forced to be in the dark for far too long but the Southend Gang Show epitomises why theatre is so important; theatre is not just for the performers and the theatre itself but also for audiences and everyone involved in making a show happen. Being back in an auditorium and sharing theatrical experiences is something we should never be deprived of. It's been truly missed.
Well done and congratulations to everyone involved.
REVIEW: KIM TOBIN
Larger than ever the cast, derived from Scout and Guide Units across Southend, took over the theatre's stage with confidence and aplomb and entertained the first night audience with fierce enthusiasm.
Most variety shows would leave the best act of the evening until last but the It's a Date cast gave us the best at the beginning AND at the end of the show! Musical theatre was a theme that ran through the evening and the Gang kicked off with a medley from Les Miserables, with resounding voices, accompanied with some fabulous melodies. Massive kudos to the Musical Director here and for also doing a great job conducting the band in the pit on opening night.
A lot of these youngsters have never even been on stage before and first night nerves can often hinder performances but these guys have clearly been well drilled and despite Covid pressures restricting rehearsals, it's certainly not stopped this talented bunch putting on an epic show. Everyone looked super confident.
Musical numbers intertwined with dance and comic sketches kept the audience's attention gripped to the stage and I really enjoyed the homage to Musical Theatre with numbers from shows such as Wicked, Dear Evan Hanson and Cinderella. The Zoom Class sketch was a definite insight to how tricky it must have been during lockdown for the children, as well as teachers, was very funny. The cast also devised a rather touching sketch celebrating our frontline 'heroes' and sang a quite beautiful song in recognition of fundraising hero, Captain Tom, which induced a few goosebumps moments. I am sure that Captain Tom would have been absolutely beaming had he still been around to witness such a fabulous tribute.
Of course, the show cannot go on without the support of Leaders, Backstage, Stage Managers, Techies - Sound and Lighting, Props, Dressers, Costume, Musical Director, Show Director, Front of House and of course, the families of the cast members who have all worked so hard to get the show up and running.
Every scene transition was quick and smooth and the flow of the show never faltered. An amazing achievement working with such a large cast. (I believe it's around 60!)
As the show came to a rousing end with the old favourite, Riding Along on the Crest of a Wave, I suddenly realised that I'd had a huge grin on my face throughout the whole evening; not only because it was such a fun show but also because the cast were also looking so happy to be performing for us. It's been a really tough time for the theatre industry during lockdown; they were forced to be in the dark for far too long but the Southend Gang Show epitomises why theatre is so important; theatre is not just for the performers and the theatre itself but also for audiences and everyone involved in making a show happen. Being back in an auditorium and sharing theatrical experiences is something we should never be deprived of. It's been truly missed.
Well done and congratulations to everyone involved.
REVIEW: KIM TOBIN
Tickets are now on sale for It’s a Date 2022, the famous variety show performed by the Southend Scout and Guide Gang Show. The bi-annual variety show is returning to the Palace Theatre from Wednesday 16th till Saturday 19th February 2022 and the gang are looking to put on another memorable performance.
With adult tickets on sale from £15.00, children (under 18) £11.00 and a Family ticket (4x tickets, minimum of 2x Children) priced at £42, It’s a Date provides fantastic entertainment for the whole family. With over 60 Scouts and Guides from the Southend area the show will feature plenty of fun and laughter. The show is certainly going to be one to remember!
With adult tickets on sale from £15.00, children (under 18) £11.00 and a Family ticket (4x tickets, minimum of 2x Children) priced at £42, It’s a Date provides fantastic entertainment for the whole family. With over 60 Scouts and Guides from the Southend area the show will feature plenty of fun and laughter. The show is certainly going to be one to remember!
Photo Credit: Tim Browne
Tim Browne, Southend Gang Show Manager, told us,
"It’s an honour to be one of the show managers for the 22 show. We were one of the last Gang Shows to be performed in 2020 and after over 50 shows have been cancelled over the last two years we will be one of the first to return. To see this cast over nearly 70 come together (sometimes on zoom!) is an amazing feat. And it’s not just the cast who enjoy coming together, there are over 50 backstage who make it happen. It’s a real community show and after so many months of not being together, getting the ‘Gang’ back has been the best thing ever. We hope the audience enjoy the show as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it on!"
"It’s an honour to be one of the show managers for the 22 show. We were one of the last Gang Shows to be performed in 2020 and after over 50 shows have been cancelled over the last two years we will be one of the first to return. To see this cast over nearly 70 come together (sometimes on zoom!) is an amazing feat. And it’s not just the cast who enjoy coming together, there are over 50 backstage who make it happen. It’s a real community show and after so many months of not being together, getting the ‘Gang’ back has been the best thing ever. We hope the audience enjoy the show as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it on!"