March 14, 2008
With snappy dance routines to songs from musicals like ‘Fame’ and ‘Dirty Dancing’, community groups such as Guides, Brownies and Scouts perform in this amateur Variety show. The number of folk in the New Theatre proudly donning the bright uniform of their pack indicates the lifelong importance the annual Gang Show has for young and old alike. Whilst there are some outrageously talented individuals in the show the phenomenally large cast of over 150 makes it a bit unwieldy to highlight individuals. The ‘Officer Krupke’ and ‘Macavity’ numbers are particularly well done, the gifted young orchestra members are musically directed by Claire Penny. A funny song about three lads surviving the harsh rigours of Summer camp is witty and clever. There is an undeniable joy in seeing these young people bravely take to this huge stage and perform to their best. Everyone has polished their routines to the best of their ability and the huge amount of work that has been put into the evening deserves rapturous applause.
Adult leaders and their youth groups all present comic routines in the format of Variety and Music Hall for example there is a piece about ventriloquist dummies and a slapstick routine about clumsy workmen. The sheer variety of songs packed into this show like ‘Just a minute Mr Postman’, ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Summer Holiday’ offers something for everybody. The ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’ train takes us on a musical journey to New York and Chicago. The show opens with the Junior Gang telling us all about their dreams as we are encouraged to consider our own aspirations. The Senior Gang develop the earlier theme of dreams with songs about the power of self belief as the show moves to the finale. Kim Griffiths the triumphant Gang Show Director takes the stage to thank all concerned. The audience joins in with hand movements for a medley of Gang Show classic songs to takes us through a well-orchestrated final curtain.
In a show which starts with the audience all-upstanding for the national anthem, it seems all perfectly fine that a gang of fancy-dressed monks and nuns are dancing in the aisles jollying us along before the interval. This is a purely British tradition and a show by our local community groups. The creative sets reflect this including the Oxford skyline as a backdrop. Running time is just under 2 hours 45 minutes and there is just enough time to book your tickets for the grand finale on Saturday night when the entire gang get to take their final bow. It is the easiest thing to ride along on the crest of a wave and be swept away with the enthusiasm everyone has for this annual event. As one of the musical numbers has it, ‘Who will buy this wonderful feeling?’
Adult leaders and their youth groups all present comic routines in the format of Variety and Music Hall for example there is a piece about ventriloquist dummies and a slapstick routine about clumsy workmen. The sheer variety of songs packed into this show like ‘Just a minute Mr Postman’, ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Summer Holiday’ offers something for everybody. The ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’ train takes us on a musical journey to New York and Chicago. The show opens with the Junior Gang telling us all about their dreams as we are encouraged to consider our own aspirations. The Senior Gang develop the earlier theme of dreams with songs about the power of self belief as the show moves to the finale. Kim Griffiths the triumphant Gang Show Director takes the stage to thank all concerned. The audience joins in with hand movements for a medley of Gang Show classic songs to takes us through a well-orchestrated final curtain.
In a show which starts with the audience all-upstanding for the national anthem, it seems all perfectly fine that a gang of fancy-dressed monks and nuns are dancing in the aisles jollying us along before the interval. This is a purely British tradition and a show by our local community groups. The creative sets reflect this including the Oxford skyline as a backdrop. Running time is just under 2 hours 45 minutes and there is just enough time to book your tickets for the grand finale on Saturday night when the entire gang get to take their final bow. It is the easiest thing to ride along on the crest of a wave and be swept away with the enthusiasm everyone has for this annual event. As one of the musical numbers has it, ‘Who will buy this wonderful feeling?’