Harpenden & Wheathampstead District Gang Show 2019

I was bowled over by the high standard of performance this year, probably the best production I have seen from this company since I started attending!  Celebrating 70 years is a great achievement – congratulations!

The content this year was very good, sketches were funny, and everything was well-performed, with plenty of energy. 

Overall sound was much better, but I had difficulty hearing the solo lines in the National Express number, I think sometimes the band gets a little carried away with what they are playing!

Technically very good, I loved the Peter Pan flying sequence, clever and also amusing, and lighting for the Beats number was very imaginative.

Costumes were visually stunning, some worn better than others!  Some of the boys inclined towards the untidy, but overall everyone looked good, and the costume team should be congratulated.  I loved the interwoven red and platinum neckerchiefs, they looked really good on stage.

Choreography was simple but gave us patterns, and grouping, as well as more formal lines.  A good mix, and something that everyone could cope with.  There were a few more formal dance numbers which were well-performed.  Always good to see the lads involved and doing their tap number!

I thought the music was particularly well-chosen this year, a very good mix, and it was good to see the older lads really giving a depth of sound to the whole production, you are lucky to have this resource.  Young ladies are always well-represented and perform well, but to have their match in young men is excellent.  The whole cast sang well and there were lots of smiley faces and expressions going on, which made everything light up – very well done to everyone.

The opening was very striking, everyone on stage really got into the ethos of the number, and James Mason showed style and command of the stage as the lead singer.  Excellent way to start the show.

Hamish Hartley and Katie Schlich were very funny in the Crime Botch sketch, as were the cast of the Cinderella sketch.  I thought Chloe Sayle, Amy Yalden, Joe Eagles, Jay Colston Patel, Will Bowman and Freya Barker pulled out all the stops.

Chloe Symons showed an amazing voice and stage presence as Olivia Ostrich, enhancing a well-costumed and well-performed piece.  I particularly loved the peacock costumes!

High on a Hill had a very good backdrop, I enjoyed the opening, then the cast exploding into the songs with loads of energy.  There were two of the taller lads at the front who were really giving their all.  Amelie Pym and Joe Eagles performed their songs really well.

The Biscuit sketch was well-thought out, and got groans and laughter at the references, very well done.

The finale to Act One left us on a high, I liked the way the girls came on and formed circles, and the youngsters as oldies in the Bangor number were great, with the two soloists performing extremely well, as did the other soloists.

Act Two opening was so well thought out technically, and displayed many different talents, both on stage and technically, I was very impressed with everyone, and thought Lucy Porter particularly gave a striking performance, and loved the lightness and quirkiness of Tilly Denton as Tinkerbell.  The dancers accompanied by guitar was a charming interlude.

Black or White created a good platform for lots of different skills, the three Little People, Anneka Wrentmore, Freya Barker and Bella Thomas matched each other vocally.  The choreography was especially imaginative, I loved it.  I thought Lauren Darby did well with a difficult song.  Adam Sharp gave I’m Still Standing such intent and meaning, very well done.

The Winnie the Pooh sketch gave everyone involved the chance to explore very diverse characters, which they did with aplomb, very well achieved.

The Block Rockin’ Beats number was performed very well, and gave everyone the chance to do something a bit more contemporary and edgy, which they did well.

It was great to see the 7 generations involved in each decade of the Gang Show’s 70 years, what an excellent idea, and lovely to see John Seabrook opening On the Crest of a Wave.  Jay Colston Patel and Elodie Cowan performed the final song exceedingly well, and the swell of sound from the whole cast was truly lovely.

One of my favourite productions of any year, I can’t compliment everyone enough for an outstanding show.

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