It’s a Date the Southend Scout & Guide Gang Show
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
14th-17th February 2018
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
14th-17th February 2018
Having never experienced a Gang Show before, I took my seat amongst the brimming audience, curious to discover just exactly what this type of show entailed.
It was with interest that I learned that the ‘It’s a Date’ Gang Shows actually began in 1932 with a show providing a variety of song, dance, comedy and music with the aim of raising funds for a swimming pool for the Scouts. Such was its success that it was repeated again the following year and there are now over 115 shows in the UK and many more around the globe.
The Southend Scouts, Guides, Explorers, Ranger and Young Leaders have been performing at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff since 1966 and now perform the Gang Show every two years.
From the opening as the band strike up and the curtain is raised to a choir of children singing the hauntingly beautiful Songs of Sanctuary you realise that this is going to be something special.
With sketches showing off the children’s singing, acting and physical theatre skills starting with the clever, Adventure Island sketch; the comical Magical Maladies featuring fairytale princesses visiting the doctor; A Cup of Coffee and Film Fanatics giving the audience lots of laughs. The It’s Behind You skit was also really good fun, not least with the Blobs!
There was plenty of musicality and some wonderful rhythmic skills displayed in School Days which was reminiscent of the hit show Stomp featuring some great basketball skills and also in the school room scene - loved the pencil falling off the desk at the end - fabulous teamwork from all involved! I dread to think how long that took to get right.
All of the singing numbers were delivered with such confidence and it would seem that the Scouting movement definitely has some stars of the future in their midst.
I loved the little ones singing their take on the Les Mis song, Little People, which had been made into a song about scouting.
Battle of the Elements featured some very talented singers and the Time number also. I also enjoyed the Tribute to Nelson Mandela number with some great harmonies.
Choreography was simple yet effective and it was clear that the cast were more than capable of taking direction and applying it well.
There was also good use of lighting and staging in the show, with some outstanding props and scenery accompanied by some very slick scene changes from the backstage team, giving the whole show a very professional feel about it. Also, top marks to the Wardrobe Team who did a fabulous job with all the costumes, particularly in the Battle of the Elements, Back to Broadway and Mandela numbers.
Musical Director, Jo Brown, did a fantastic job of keeping the evening’s musical entertainment flowing at a good pace with lots of enthusiasm which reflected in all of the performances.
All in all, It’s a Date, was a wonderfully entertaining evening. The children are a huge credit to all the leaders who have clearly made a massive contribution and worked unbelievably hard to put on a top notch show. Congratulations and well done to everyone involved!
Tickets are still available on www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
It was with interest that I learned that the ‘It’s a Date’ Gang Shows actually began in 1932 with a show providing a variety of song, dance, comedy and music with the aim of raising funds for a swimming pool for the Scouts. Such was its success that it was repeated again the following year and there are now over 115 shows in the UK and many more around the globe.
The Southend Scouts, Guides, Explorers, Ranger and Young Leaders have been performing at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff since 1966 and now perform the Gang Show every two years.
From the opening as the band strike up and the curtain is raised to a choir of children singing the hauntingly beautiful Songs of Sanctuary you realise that this is going to be something special.
With sketches showing off the children’s singing, acting and physical theatre skills starting with the clever, Adventure Island sketch; the comical Magical Maladies featuring fairytale princesses visiting the doctor; A Cup of Coffee and Film Fanatics giving the audience lots of laughs. The It’s Behind You skit was also really good fun, not least with the Blobs!
There was plenty of musicality and some wonderful rhythmic skills displayed in School Days which was reminiscent of the hit show Stomp featuring some great basketball skills and also in the school room scene - loved the pencil falling off the desk at the end - fabulous teamwork from all involved! I dread to think how long that took to get right.
All of the singing numbers were delivered with such confidence and it would seem that the Scouting movement definitely has some stars of the future in their midst.
I loved the little ones singing their take on the Les Mis song, Little People, which had been made into a song about scouting.
Battle of the Elements featured some very talented singers and the Time number also. I also enjoyed the Tribute to Nelson Mandela number with some great harmonies.
Choreography was simple yet effective and it was clear that the cast were more than capable of taking direction and applying it well.
There was also good use of lighting and staging in the show, with some outstanding props and scenery accompanied by some very slick scene changes from the backstage team, giving the whole show a very professional feel about it. Also, top marks to the Wardrobe Team who did a fabulous job with all the costumes, particularly in the Battle of the Elements, Back to Broadway and Mandela numbers.
Musical Director, Jo Brown, did a fantastic job of keeping the evening’s musical entertainment flowing at a good pace with lots of enthusiasm which reflected in all of the performances.
All in all, It’s a Date, was a wonderfully entertaining evening. The children are a huge credit to all the leaders who have clearly made a massive contribution and worked unbelievably hard to put on a top notch show. Congratulations and well done to everyone involved!
Tickets are still available on www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135