Gang Show 2014

The hubbub of the audience told it’s own tale, often seen at youth productions. That of expectant family members sharing the anticipation of who’s doing what and how sparkly the costumes will be. I was right there with them speculating on the evening’s entertainment - after all the previous year’s show had been fantastic… com on… start!

The biggest difference I found this year was the average age of the cast, which was much lower than before and led to a different kind of show than when they had an older group balancing out the stage. With the younger cast came some adorable moments, but also dancing that was less synchronised and disjointed in places.

But the production team no-doubt knew the challenge ahead of them and came up with some creative scenarios as settings for the traditional medleys. One of the clever ones was set in a laundrette with a cast of bacteria, moulds, fungus and goo performing appropriately chosen songs, which made for a creative mix of colourful costumes and ‘viral’ movement!

Just as in previous years, costuming as a whole was first class from the opening ‘candy’ number in which each cast member was covered in sparkling sequins of different colours, to the beautifully conceived designs based on playing cards - not just big cards, but a more creative treatment that looked stunning on stage.

Back to the performances and the show stealer had to be the young girl who performed the solo in ‘When I grow Up’ from Matilda. Wow! Fantastic performance. One of the biggest criticisms I often level at youth groups is the lack of facial animation, but this young lady wasn’t just standing onstage singing, she was performing every line and did it brilliantly! I should note that up to this point she had also stood out in other company numbers for her ability to look engaged with the music, which gave her a strong connection to the audience.

It was interesting to see that while many of the company numbers lacked ‘punch’, the Act Two opening sequence (based on ‘Matilda’) was without a doubt the strongest from a vocal and movement point-of-view. I’m guessing that the kids could relate to the subject matter, taken as it was from a very popular musical and based on school life!

There were a couple of other stand-out scenes. One was a dance sequence featuring just a few of the company wearing black unitards covered in fluorescent tape that, under ultra-violet lighting, created a funny dance sequence performed by stick people! Perfect. The actual dance was a visual medley of famous dance moves, strung together one after the other that tweaked many a nostalgic memory!

Mixed in with the musical medleys are several comic scenes. This year had a totally brilliant one based on a group of silent monks who, draped in robes that covered their faces, ‘sang’ with words printed on sheets of paper, holding up each word at the right time. I was crying with laughter! It was a clever visual gag that grew and got more complicated as the song built. Brilliant!

One section that I didn’t think worked particularly well was when three chaps came on in drag and mimed a loose scenario to Queen’s ‘I Want To Break Free’. This wasn’t the first time in the evening that we’d seen a male cast member in women’s clothing, so that may have lessened the impact a bit, but the chaps seemed to have nothing else to work with on stage apart from their outlandish costumes. Sorry chaps.

Traditional in the Gang Show format is the ‘shout-out’ to visiting groups, which was mixed in with a sketch that involved the leader, desperately trying to recite a verse, is heckled from the balcony, while various other cast members keep wandering onto stage to interrupt him. This was put together very well and proved a hit with us audience members!

Overall this was a sound production that left me with a strong feeling of empathy for the accomplishment these talented youngsters (and not so young) achieved, coming together to test themselves and work as a team to entertain. I suspect that feeling is pride.

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