Basingstoke Gang Show 2025

BASINGSTOKE Gang Show 2025 was the 45th Gang Show and brought together 70 youngsters, supported by a team of 76 adult volunteers, to produce a wealth of memories of friendship and commitment.    The show was a selection of bright and breezy songs, performed by energetic and enthusiastic, talented youngers, interspersed with screen-based entertainment and short comic sketches.   

The costumes were amazing and there were so many of them!   They ranged from chocolate wrappers for ‘Choccy-woccy-doo-dah-day, black top hats and tails for the opening number, ‘Hats Off to delicate ballet dresses for ‘The dreamers and me’.   We were treated to various national costumes for ‘Up, Up and Away’ (my personal favourite in this was the tulip outfit)    

The sets were excellent and varied.   Projection was used to great effect and these were colourful and effective.  These included, an American diner,  Wonderland, and a very atmospheric, and rather spooky, stormy sea scene for ‘Night to fall’.  The scenery for ‘Choccy-woccy’ was imaginative and showed arches depicting popular chocolate makes.  Props were numerous and varied and ranged from a Queen Victoria’s pub style head for the Doof Doof sketch, skipping ropes for ‘Feeling Ropey’ and a maypole in ‘Go your own way’.    The use of shimmery material for the stream in ‘The dreamers and me’ was very creative.

The sound was good with voices clear and in tune.  There were some uplifting group numbers performed with great enthusiasm and clarity.    The lighting was brilliant with an assortment of effects, stars on the ceiling, mirror ball and red globes.   All were well controlled and added great depth to the overall effect of the music.  The use of ultra-violet light for ‘Feeling ropey’   was stunning.

This show was a blend of upbeat, feelgood songs and emotional ballads with dazzling sets and costumes, superb singing and dancing and full of joy for all generations.    The show was a great example of team work, co-operation between the cast and creatives. The large cast varied in age and the variety of the content was full of vitality and enabled everyone a chance to shine.   Thanks to the commitment from all involved, it was a joyful evening that brought warmth to Basingstoke Haymarket Theatre on a rainy February evening.  

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