Our sections have once again been invited to Chester Gang Show for their 2024 show. Anyone who went before will know what a really good event it is and is very enjoyable. For those who aren’t sure what it involves, here’s a summary.

A Gang Show is a theatrical performance by members of Scouting. Young people make up the majority of the cast, or Gang, with adult leaders and parents helping out behind the scenes. A Gang Show offers a great opportunity for young people to work together as a team on a high-profile project and to stage a ‘shop window’ event to demonstrate their talents to local people.

Chester Gang Show have a rich history, and have performed in venues across Chester over the years, but their home since 2008 (with the exception of one year) is the Vanbrugh Theatre, Kings School.

The production team and Gang, all volunteers, participate in many hours of planning, writing, composing, choreographing, building stage scenery/props, making costumes, and rehearsing for several months before the actual performances. In order to reach the required performance standard for a Gang Show, a high level of commitment is needed from all involved in the production as well as support from their families.

The format of a Gang Show is essentially a revue or variety show; song, dance and short comedy sketches are the most common items. The material in the programme is far from conventional, and can include all forms of song, dance and acting – Chester Gang Show have tried pretty much anything from Broadway to the West End, Hollywood to Bollywood, Shakespeare to end-of-the-pier… Some of the material is well-known, other material is original to Chester Gang Show, often even devised by the young people themselves.

We have booked a minibus for transport and the cost will be approx. £10 (non refundable). If we exceed the capacity of the minibus, then some parents may need to make alternative arrangements to get their young person to the event – we will advise of this in advance of the event.

We will pick up and drop off  at the top of the Scout Hut lane. We haven’t included a finish time but will find out before the event.