It’s a Date

Southend Scout and Guide Gang Show

Palace Theatre
430 London Rd
Westcliff
​
Wed 18 Feb to Sat 21 Feb

A rousing evening’s entertainment

If you have fond memories of gang shows from the old Ralph Reader days, then think on.  Things have moved on a pace since then, we now have approximately 80 scouts, boys and girls providing a brilliant variety show.  There is singing, dancing and many comedy sketches under the musical direction of Jo Brown.    

The show is mainly divided into themed sequences.   These begin with Automation, where robotic mechanicals perform, followed by many others. One sequence is based on the sixties with the girls in the brightly coloured mini dresses and white boots and the boys in flares.   There is a good old cockney knees up Down at the Old Bull and Bush and a rousing Money Money medley. There is even a clever song about the C2C train stops to Fenchurch Street. One piece had a group vying for position in a studio.  All doing their own style of dance deliberately badly, upstaging each other.   There are also some excellent singers amongst the solo artists.

I particularly liked the Quiz Time sketch.   Panellists had to sing the lyrics of one song to the tune of another.  Who knew that the words to Bob the Builder would fit I Dreamed a Dream or Imagine fitted The Muppet Show theme tune.    The quiz presenter is played by a young girls who gives a very confident performance.  

A  Night in the Zoo  even had elephant and penguin costumes and  The Comedy at the Hospital had whole conversations using the letters of the alphabet, which is very imaginative. There are even puppets and a rendition of the Can Can banged out with plastic tubes. 

A lot of creativity and imagination had gone into this show keeping all the young people completely involved. It is great to see so many youngsters enjoying themselves on stage. I take my hat off to the organisers of the show who have their job cut out choreographing such a large cast.
One thing I did notice was that the cast were predominantly girls. Is this indicative of the fact that boy scouts don’t fancy prancing around on a stage?  Do they prefer more so called, ‘manly’ activities?

Of course, the evening is rounded off with a rousing performance of Riding along on the Crest of the Wave.  It wouldn’t be a gang show without it.  I must say, it is a long time since I have stood up in a theatre to sing the National Anthem.

This show demonstrates what is possible to achieve through motivation, inspiration and positivity.  It is a showcase for all that is good about the youth of today whilst providing entertainment for all the family.  Everyone left the theatre with a smile on their face emulating the youngsters singing and dancing on the stage.  All I can say is that looking at those beaming faces of the future, ‘God is in his heaven, and all’s right with the world.’

Review – Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The show continues:-  
Thurs 19th February 2026 - Sat 21st February 2026
7.30pm
Ticket Price
£16 - £22
A transaction fee of up to £3.95 may apply.
Box Office  0343 310 0030