THE South East Berkshire Gang Show marks its fiftieth annual performance with a family variety show.
The group hopes people will come along to enjoy the show and support the young performers.
All are members of the Scouting and Guiding organisations and Trefoil Guild, and will perform a wide range of musical numbers and comedy sketches.
“It’s a very exciting time,” says Elizabeth Marchant, South East Berkshire Gang Show chair.
“With it being such an important year for us, we’re stepping down memory lane.
“We’ve been looking through our archives to find music from earlier shows, and we’ve got some great numbers from the 1970s onwards, including some Queen songs.”
This year around 50 children will be joined on stage by their group leaders, some of whom have been volunteering almost as long as The South East Berkshire Gang Show has existed, (their first show was in 1971).
“Our stage manager has been with us ever since he started out as a youngster,” says Ms Marchant.
“This will be his 49th show.”
Performers range in age from six to 70, with youngsters drawn from Scouting and Guiding organisations throughout Wokingham, Bracknell and Crowthorne.
The youngest performers, The Mini Gang, will start the show, followed by acts from the rest of the company.
Around 100 volunteers make this show possible, with leaders, members and parents creating the set, organising the sound, and managing the huge wardrobe of costumes.
“It’s a community event,” says Ms Marchant.
“Everyone’s very excited now that we’re so close to the performance, and able to rehearse on stage.
“And it’s really wonderful to be performing again after two years absent during covid, especially with this being such a significant event.”
Performances are an opportunity for the company to raise money for a local charity.
“We’ll be having bucket collections each evening to support First Days,” says Ms Marchant.
“They focus on young people, and they do such good work.
“We’re very pleased to be able to support them in this way.
“It’s going to be a fun family show, and there really will be something for everyone.”
The Gang Show takes place at South Hill Park in Bracknell, From Thursday, February 14 to Saturday, February 18.
Performances start at 7.15pm, with an additional Saturday matinée at 2.15pm.
Tuesday tickets cost £12, or £11 for over 65s.
Remaining tickets cost £17, or £16 for over 65s, except for the last performance on Saturday evening, when all tickets cost £20.
For tickets and information visit: www.southhillpark.org.uk
