REVIEW
Southend Scout & Guide Gang Show
present
It's a Date
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea, Essex
19th - 22nd February (Half Term) 2020
Southend Scout & Guide Gang Show
present
It's a Date
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea, Essex
19th - 22nd February (Half Term) 2020
Don't know about you lot, but I definitely want to "be in a Gang Show" and "have a real good time!" These are the words that are sung out at the beginning of It's a Date by the Southend Scout and Guide Gang Show cast; and if you ever thought that the Scouting and Guiding movement was all tying knots, compasses, camping and Kumbaya, you better think again!
These kids get to perform their stuff on the Palace Theatre stage all this Half Term week and they look like they are having a blast. There are some really fabulous pieces played out throughout this show and with the opening number kicking off with a Take That medley, you instantly get the feeling that the days of Riding Along on a Crest of a Wave are all but far behind us - they're not, but more of that later.
You see, this is a show full of oomph and pizzazz. Lots of colourful costumes, clever sketches, witty words and delightful dancing. We have a large cast on stage for a lot of the evening, which is no mean feat, and a huge credit must go to the directors and choreographers of each sketch and routine.
These kids get to perform their stuff on the Palace Theatre stage all this Half Term week and they look like they are having a blast. There are some really fabulous pieces played out throughout this show and with the opening number kicking off with a Take That medley, you instantly get the feeling that the days of Riding Along on a Crest of a Wave are all but far behind us - they're not, but more of that later.
You see, this is a show full of oomph and pizzazz. Lots of colourful costumes, clever sketches, witty words and delightful dancing. We have a large cast on stage for a lot of the evening, which is no mean feat, and a huge credit must go to the directors and choreographers of each sketch and routine.
Incorporating the old and the new styles of music is something the producers have used effectively and this was seen with the Old Father Thames skit, starting off with Old Man River, then Hold Back the River, finishing with Proud Mary (Rolling on a River) - see what they did there? I was in complete awe, along with the rest of the audience, with the drumming skills of the cast involved in The Bin Men and, I expect, groaned along with everyone else to the jokes in the cheesy chess sketch, aptly named Check Mate.
It is abundantly clear that an enormous amount of work has gone into this production and every person on stage certainly deserves to be. There would be no point in picking out individuals because essentially everyone works as a team and for a first night, where there can often be a few hiccups, this went pretty smoothly. Scene changes were slick and lighting gave every section a really professional feel to it.
Not only do this cast sing and act they also dance and I loved the Rhythm and Jazz section where the cast were tap dancing and harmonising along to I Got Rhythm and All That Jazz. The Rhythm of Life is not an easy song to sing, with some very tricky harmonies but these guys managed to pull it off with aplomb.
It is abundantly clear that an enormous amount of work has gone into this production and every person on stage certainly deserves to be. There would be no point in picking out individuals because essentially everyone works as a team and for a first night, where there can often be a few hiccups, this went pretty smoothly. Scene changes were slick and lighting gave every section a really professional feel to it.
Not only do this cast sing and act they also dance and I loved the Rhythm and Jazz section where the cast were tap dancing and harmonising along to I Got Rhythm and All That Jazz. The Rhythm of Life is not an easy song to sing, with some very tricky harmonies but these guys managed to pull it off with aplomb.
There were a few, what I'd call slightly surreal moments, not least the Harry Potter piece which was one of the quirkier moments of the evening and the Swedish Takeaway - very clever - I wonder what ABBA would think of their lyrics being altered to sing, Thank You for the Takeaways instead of Thank You for the Music? Speaking of music, MD Jo Brown, who is also the director of the show, and her band work exceptionally hard in the music pit under the Palace stage to produce a lovely sound.
Shaken Not Stirred provided some really excellent choreography accompanied by some lovely vocals and Open the Cover gave the costume department a great opportunity to show off their skills, not least with the ingenious design of the seven dwarfs' costumes.
The finale piece of course, does include some of the old Gang Show music including Riding Along on a Crest of a Wave and it wouldn't be a gang show without the tradition that is inevitable when putting on one of these shows. It pays homage to London Gang Show producer Ralph Reader who successfully put on the first Gang Show in 1932 and also to everyone who has been involved in 'making memories' within the Scouting and Guiding movement over the years.
Shaken Not Stirred provided some really excellent choreography accompanied by some lovely vocals and Open the Cover gave the costume department a great opportunity to show off their skills, not least with the ingenious design of the seven dwarfs' costumes.
The finale piece of course, does include some of the old Gang Show music including Riding Along on a Crest of a Wave and it wouldn't be a gang show without the tradition that is inevitable when putting on one of these shows. It pays homage to London Gang Show producer Ralph Reader who successfully put on the first Gang Show in 1932 and also to everyone who has been involved in 'making memories' within the Scouting and Guiding movement over the years.
Anyone who thinks that being a Guide or a Scout isn't cool really needs to come and watch these guys in action. The majority of the cast aren't involved in drama schools or performing arts schools; they just want to get out there and do their thing. The Gang Show gives them the perfect platform to do so and it's great to see such confident performances from everyone.
A huge amount of credit must go to all the hard work that has obviously gone into this show from the Guide and Scout leaders who have managed, directed and produced this show, led by Show Manager, Tim Browne, who have given their time for free and also a special mention to the back stage and technical teams who relentlessly keep the flow of the show going.
Make a date to go and see It's a Date, especially if you have a youngster or teen who may be slouching around the house with their head buried in social media this Half Term. From the reaction of the first night audience, including lots of kids, being a Scout or Guide has never been so cool!
Review: Kim Tobin (who used to be a Brownie and a Guide a very long time ago and never got to do a Gang Show.......)
A huge amount of credit must go to all the hard work that has obviously gone into this show from the Guide and Scout leaders who have managed, directed and produced this show, led by Show Manager, Tim Browne, who have given their time for free and also a special mention to the back stage and technical teams who relentlessly keep the flow of the show going.
Make a date to go and see It's a Date, especially if you have a youngster or teen who may be slouching around the house with their head buried in social media this Half Term. From the reaction of the first night audience, including lots of kids, being a Scout or Guide has never been so cool!
Review: Kim Tobin (who used to be a Brownie and a Guide a very long time ago and never got to do a Gang Show.......)
All photo credits: Tim Browne
Check out this great vid from the Gang Show rehearsal - with 4 weeks to go before opening night, we think they are well on track with some excellent performances!
Southend Gang Show is a local community group which encourages Scouts and Guides to sing, dance and act in a variety show held every two years.
|
Southend Scout and Guide Gang Show aspires to be seen as excellent local entertainment, acknowledged as one of the best Gang Shows in the country as well as being innovative and original.
With its first show performed in 1966 the Southend Gang Show is now a huge part of the Scouting and Guiding community in the Southend area. Currently performed at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea it is a highlight in the districts Scouting and Guiding calendar. Always bright, exciting, funny and entertaining, Southend Gang Show continues to go from strength to strength. |
|
Southend Scout and Guide Gang Show is open to those Scouts and Guides in Year 8 or above but under 26 by February 2020.
The show is open to Guides and Senior Section members from the following districts: Southend East, Southend West, Rayleigh and Castle Point.
The show is open to Scouts and Network members from the following districts: Southend West, Southend Estuary, Crouch Valley and Castle Point.
The show is open to Guides and Senior Section members from the following districts: Southend East, Southend West, Rayleigh and Castle Point.
The show is open to Scouts and Network members from the following districts: Southend West, Southend Estuary, Crouch Valley and Castle Point.
For further information about Southend Scout and Guide Gang Show, please visit the website http://www.southendgangshow.org/index.html
Tickets also available from www.southendtheatres.org.uk or box office 01702 351135
Facebook : @southendgangshow
Twitter : @southendGS
Tickets also available from www.southendtheatres.org.uk or box office 01702 351135
Facebook : @southendgangshow
Twitter : @southendGS
