GANG SHOW 2026

This production is always such a huge undertaking for the team, and the people named are just the forward-facing members of those teams, backed by volunteers almost as numerous as the young persons on stage.  Every year there are new numbers and ideas that keep things fresh, with the long standing finale numbers there for us all to join in with.

I feel that now the team have got the cast in a good place, more thought could go into making the whole production slicker, with more seamless set changes – by that I mean the ‘dead’ stage between each set – a little thought could make this so much better from an audience point of view, as every time there is a gap, with nothing happening the audience attention strays. 

There were great sets and costumes as always, very imaginative, and the dual colour wings for the opening was great – a lovely ‘pop’ of colour and energy to match.  I loved some of small touches e.g. the lights that tracked the way to Amarillo, the dappled lighting for the Mountain number, and the variety of costumes in the Garden set – the costumes looked a bit random at first, but then each group separated out and you had all the different colours which was great.  Also in the Big Feelings set it would have been easy to just have different coloured t-shirts, but each ‘feeling’ had it’s own colour and a different style which created a super effect.

Musically I felt there were more harmonies, or perhaps I was noting them more, because the sound overall was better.  There were some very good solos and the band sounded very good.

Top of the World gave a good start to the show, with Maisie, Maya and Imogen giving their all.  Abi Rolph sang the second number very tunefully and with conviction.

Then we went into the first production number Route 66, with Thomas and Jonny getting ‘their kicks’, and the ensemble managing the placing of the front half of a car, which was very reminiscent of the era.  The other numbers in the set were well-presented and colourful.

‘Liars’ was a different sketch, which I felt fell a little short of the point – however the cast performed very well, with plenty of confidence.

The Rhyming Couple of Zara and Peggy was very clever, and they performed it extremely well.

Take the Biscuit had very imaginative costumes, which worked well, with the back drop and flats giving a good illustration of the subject.  Jaffa Cakes – Lucia and Stefano – gave a good illustration of the subject, with a good rap to accompany the Slam Dunk, with Emma, David, Ethan and Emilie – the cut out of a tea cup with the various biscuit types being dunked was inspired.

Exhale was nicely choreographed, with all the dancers fully invested in the number, very effective overall.

Post Game Interview was well-managed by Harry and David, very pertinent in the points discussed!

The finale to act 1 showed some good harmonies and the dappled lighting created a different look.

Act 2 was opened with a charming set Pottering in the Garden, with all the different vegetables represented with some original costumes.  I loved the rabbits fighting with the fox and bird, again nice touches and added interest, with the Potter medley – Sisters, Squirrels and Scrub Scrub working really well.

Five was performed so well by Marcello, Theo, Stefano, Freddie and Jonny – very lively and an excellent combination of numbers.

Locked Up was inventive and performed well, followed by The Orchestra which as incredibly innovative, with Hazel, Emma and William fully investing in the creation of the different instruments, very entertaining.

Sales Pitch was also an original piece, from Sam, Olivia, Clement, Tilly and Finlay, with the use of Panto as a subject bringing a whole new meaning to a sales meeting -  very good.

Big Feelins was probably my favourite set, the use of the different colours for each emotion, all extremely well sung and danced by everyone concerned – artistic and inspired, with my favourite piece being Everybody Hurts, sung beautifully by Harry and Marcello, and danced which great feeling by the three couples, it really touched me.

Night Hike was a brief but amusing and well-acted interlude, before the finale, which was started off by Olivia, Marcello and Maisie, with that lovely swell of sound that always comes with the joining in of the entire cast to sing the songs we love.

My thanks to St Albans Scouts for their continued hospitality, which is a highlight of our year, and always appreciated.  A great evening’s entertainment.

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