The Gang is Back
Edinburgh Gang Show ready for 58th season
The full run through is done, band call has passed and now the Edinburgh Gang Show is ready to take over the King’s Theatre for the 2017 edition of the annual production it has been staging since 1960.
From Sunday’s get-in through Monday’s dress rehearsals, Tuesday 21 November’s opening night and right up to the final chord of the final show on Saturday, the Gang are making the King’s their home as they swap their hiking kit for the bright lights, make up, glitz and glamour of showbiz.
Gang Show 2015 finale. Photo: Scott Parker Studio.
This is not a show about scouting and guiding, as director Andy Johnston emphasises: “it is a show by Scouts and Guides who are ridiculously talented. You cannot help but be swept away by the enthusiasm and talent of these young people.”
The promise for the show is an eclectic mix of music, dance and comedy. The music will feature classic numbers from musicals such as Les Miserables and Wicked, right up to modern hits such as Hamilton, about to open in the West End, and Dream Girls. In between, the expectation is for a fast-paced show with material from artists as varied as Rhianna and Oasis.
Johnston, who is directing his 15th Gang Show this year, says: “Every year I am amazed at the strength and depth of the talent demonstrated by our young cast and this year’s auditions were no different – in fact a few of the audition pieces were so good we changed the show to feature them!”
It is that focus on the talent on stage which marks the gang show out. Johnston might be one of a hundred helpers in different guises who are involved in getting the show on the stage – with many of them, like Johnston having appeared in Gang Show themselves – but they are all working with the aim of allowing that talent to shine.
major strengths
So alongside what Johnston describes as “truly remarkable solo performances”, the gang will play to one of its major strengths – its large and powerful ensemble, choreographed by dance director Louise Williamson and under the musical direction of Andy Thomson.
The final run-through. Pic: Edinburgh Gang Show
“There really is nothing like the entire Gang joining together, singing and dancing their hearts out,” says Johnston. “This year’s show features spectacular ensemble numbers based on material from sources as varied as Finding Neverland, 42nd Street and Our House.”
This year’s show will also feature some of the cast playing music live on stage. “I don’t want to give too much away, but that number has a ‘local’ feel!” adds Johnston.
“Alongside over 100 young people in the Main Gang, we can’t forget our Juniors – it’s hard to as there are over 150 of them! They have also been working very hard, learning songs from The Wiz, Oliver! and even Hannah Montana.”
Edinburgh Gang Show 2017 is, as they say: Go!
Edinburgh Gang Show 2017
King’s Theatre, 2 Leven Street EH3 9LQ
Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 November 2017.
Daily, 7pm (Sat mat: 2.15pm).
Tickets from: www.edtheatres.com/gangshow.
Gang show on Facebook: @EdinburghGangShow.
Twitter: @Edin_Gang_Show.
ENDS
I went to see the show on Friday night and was absolutely blown away by the talented young people. I loved every act , the dancers and actors were very good. The songs were refreshing but the act for me was the song Listen which was sung with such inspiration and confidence . Keep up the great work, looking forward to next year,