Gang Show back on stage
Veterans step up to offer help as a new generation takes its place in spotlight
THE Glasgow Gang Show is a proud institution, once boasting of being the longest running performance of its kind in the world, before unfortunately coming to a halt in 2013.
But later this month a group of dedicated volunteers will continue its revival as Scouts in the city return to the stage.
Memories of glamorous nights in the King’s Theatre may be a distant memory, but the spirit of these productions lives on and will be brought to life on a smaller scale with the help of Glasgow’s South Western District Scouts.
After discussion around two years ago, a small group of Gang Show veterans decided to pick up the mantle, with a focus on a district level instead of the entire city.
Last year’s show, the first in more than four years in Glasgow, boasted moderate success, with a small, inexperienced cast and Scouts leaders chipping in to help the youngsters on stage.
But this year nearly 50 children and young people will take to the stage in Hutchesons’ Grammar School, hoping to evoke memories of the shows of old.
Producer Moira Fletcher, along with her sister Rena Findlay, are the creative minds behind the Gang Show’s revival in Glasgow.
With 11 years of experience in production with Gang Shows, Moira has seen her fair share and is very excited to see the reaction to this year’s performance.
She said: “I have always been involved in Scouting, as were my siblings and parents.
“I was producer for the Glasgow Gang Show between 1997 and 2008 and back then you always had experienced performers in the ranks. Now we don’t have that, so it has been a challenge.
“It has been hard going at times, we have had to start brand new, no-one had ever seen a gang show before last year.
“Despite that the youngsters have been so keen to just have fun and give it a go on stage. That is what Gang Show is all about and we are just delighted to be able to bring this back.”
Run by South Western District as part of a creative arts programme spanning their entire membership of around 800, it is hoped the Gang Show will again become the pinnacle that the potential stars of the future can use as a springboard to their future.
District commissioner Stuart Yuill points to the success of talents such as Alan McHugh and Billy Differ, former Glasgow Gang Show performers, as evidence that opportunities such as this are key to unearthing gems within the city.
Having been involved with the Scouts since the age of seven, Stuart, now 60, is convinced of the show’s cultural importance to the city, and the chances it gives to young people from all backgrounds.
He said: “Not everyone who joins the Scouts is built to climb and jump off mountains, our youngsters are well-rounded indviduals.
“We have formed a team with Moira and Rena at its heart and now we have 30 volunteers delivering a creative arts programme across the entire district.
“After last year’s show we are much larger and there is a great interest in what we are doing.
“Gang Show gives an incite into a creative world, teaches team building and can introduce children to paths and futures they never thought were available to them.
“There are no stars in our show, and we are extending our reach far and wide to get people involved. No matter the background, when you are on that stage we are all
The youngsters have been keen to have fun and give it a go
the same and we will unearth some real gems.”
It is not just organisers and those directly involved in the show who are excited by the prospect of its return next weekend.
Having been the longest running Gang Show in the world, generations of Glaswegians have memories of childhoods and friendships spent in these very performances.
For some, this interest has been reignited, with some friendships rekindled along the way.
The show’s producer said: “Almost everyone in Glasgow will know of it and if you had an involvement in shows you will know how special it can be.
“Gang Show is something so positive, it is just kids having a blast and the feel good factor cannot really be described. It is an amazing feeling.
“Bringing the Gang Show back has even brought friendships back together. Many of those who I have known from shows, as far back as the 1980, have now re-engaged with us. It’s been brilliant.”
Far from keeping the joy to themselves, organisers are now appealing to the public to take this chance to re-engage as well.
Stuart added: “We need to make this a positive show, and we believe we have picked up the mantle. Hopefully the public will get behind us and do the same.”
Glasgow South Western District Gang Shows runs on November 17 and 18.