North Devon Gang Show

NORTH   DEVON   GANG   SHOW

FRIDAY 22ND FEBRUARY – QUEEN’S HALL THEATRE, BARNSTAPLE

Producer – Martin Bray

Choreographers – Chloe Hardman, Sophie Lavercombe, Emily Rogers

This was a very very good production and I would like to thank all those who offered such great hospitality to me and Gillian Mackenzie, Vice-Chairman of CODS. In my invitation letter Jenny Newman hoped that I would be forwarding a comprehensive report as the group has been without a NODA representative for a couple of years. It is my pleasure to do so due to the fact that at times the standards I saw on stage were as good as anything I have seen so far in my area and for this everyone has to be warmly congratulated. I must apologise in advance for not highlighting any individual performances but I can only go from what is in the programme and any notes I make during the performance. The strength of the group is in the big chorus numbers but there were also some delightful little cameo roles I would have liked to have mentioned if there was reference to them in the programme. While on the programme would it be possible to make mention of NODA and its aims as you are members and have invited me along.

The show was split into two halves, each with nine sections and was full of colour, energy and excitement right from when the curtains were drawn back to reveal the full cast of 69 performing the opening routine. Rehearsals had started back in September and it was obvious that the choreographers, Chloe, Sophie and Emily, had drilled the troupe to a magnificent level of performance. I think it easier to continue praising the ensemble numbers at this point as each one was absolutely superb. Each was well presented; costumes were so colourful; each member had a smile on their face which drew the audience into the performance; each of the different group numbers seemed to offer something different and all built to the grand finale of excerpts from ‘The Greatest Showman’. The energy throughout was magnificent and the amount that had to be learnt was far more than a chorus in a traditional musical. Of course there might be an occasional move right instead of left but for the most part the routine was followed to the letter, the energy was maintained and as the evening went on the singing got stronger and stronger. This was the first visit I have ever made to a Gang Show and I was completely bowled over by the standards achieved. Maybe some of the cast are also members of drama groups but the common factor that brings all this together is the scouting movement. Those who took part were cubs, brownies, scouts, rangers, explorers and leaders. The kids from the age of 7 learnt moves and words to at least 28 of the 45 songs which is so impressive and I can only hope that they  were all rewarded with their performance badge.

The big chorus numbers were interspersed with different types of sketches if for no other reason than letting the troupe get changed and catch their breath! Whereas the standard of the full troupe numbers was always excellent, the additional material was not so strong. Jenny asked for an honest and comprehensive report and I do feel I should draw attention to the comedy sketches which seemed rather under rehearsed with the actors seeming to feel uncomfortable on stage. Comedy is a difficult discipline due to the need for excellent timing and for the actors to work well with each other. I don’t know if there is a prescribed format for a gang show which means there must be some sketches like this but if there is, then much more work needs to be done to maintain the high standards set elsewhere in the show. Each year there are awards given by NODA for outstanding productions and there are elements of the Gang Show that could get you close to being considered but the overall performance has to be taken into account, therefore work on these sections would need to be done in order to achieve a consistently high standard. Many of the other sketches were delightful and tended to show more of the excellent choreography on display. ‘Down The Rabbit Hole’ took us through the magical world of ‘Alice’, ‘Player One’ was a clever interpretation of ‘Super Mario’ and the ‘If I Were Not’ routine was very well handled by the seven on stage. The second half started very strongly with the adults showing their more positive side with a very imaginative rendition of Clueless which combined the main characters of the game ‘Cluedo’ performing to ‘Cell Block Tango’ from the musical ‘Chicago’. Even the ‘Fill The Gap’ routine at the end to allow everyone to change back into their uniforms was well presented. This was a show that showed the strength of the group working together but there were some excellent individual performances which must go unnamed as there were no credits in the programme. The soloist at the beginning of ‘Sheerios’ had a wonderful tone to her voice and also the choral singing was of a very high standard. There were some dancers within the troupe who really shone including a couple of boys and maybe they could have been given a spot within the show along with a singer or two. There were some solos within the troupe numbers but at times I wasn’t sure that the band were giving enough support to the vocal performance which resulted in some tuning issues. The band of three musicians did seem at times to struggle with the accompaniments which must have made it more difficult for those on stage.

So there are a couple of negative comments but I hope these are taken in the constructive way in which they are intended. When the standard of a production is set so high I am sure you would want to seek to maintain it throughout. Wardrobe, props, microphones and sound, make up, lighting, projection and AV design, scenery, and back cloths were all presented so professionally and everyone could be heard clearly. I will single out the Wardrobe team who must have worked tirelessly over the past six months. To provide so many changes of costume and to such a large cast is no mean feat and they cannot be congratulated enough on the visual excellence they produced on stage.

So Martin Bray, producer, is stepping back after 25 years at the helm. I don’t know what he has produced the previous 24 years but he can certainly be very proud of what was his ‘final bow’. It is a pleasure to be invited to productions in the North Devon and Exeter area especially when the performance is as enjoyable as the Gang Show was and I’m already looking forward to being invited back.    

        

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