Gloucester Gang Show started its life in a Church Hall in Gloucester in 1959 when a group of Scouters decided to put on a show with the title "It’s a Great, Great Game"

After the success of this show the production moved to the Crypt School in Gloucester where it stayed for the next 12 years.

In 1965, the show was honoured with a visit from Ralph Reader, the inspiration to all of us connected in any way with Gang Show, and Gloucester were awarded the coveted red neckerchief and everyone concerned felt that they were now properly ‘A GANG SHOW’.

Until 1973, Gloucester’s show had a totally male cast but at that time, and in conjunction with a move of venue to the "Regal Theatre", the show was opened up to lady Scouters, Guides and Guiders joining at a later date.

The 1974 show was cancelled literally just days before curtain up due to the 3 day working week then in force.

1975 saw yet another change of venue to the Council owned "Cambridge Theatre" in a new leisure complex in Gloucester where the show stayed for several years until safety concerns caused the theatre to be closed. One of the abiding memories of that time is staging a Cabaret style Gala Dinner performance, an experiment never tried again! The biggest and best memory of that time however was again being lucky enough to be visited by the legendary Ralph Reader.

Following the problems at the "Cambridge" Gang Show moved once again when we were allowed to perform at the local dramatic society’s theatre "The New Olympus". If any of you have long memories and ever watched the programme "Challenge Anneka", this is the theatre her team restored.

The early nineties saw Gang Show move again to its current venue, the very modern "Bacon Theatre" at Dean Close School in Cheltenham, where every Easter the production moves lock, stock & kitchen sink to continue a tradition begun so long ago.

With a cast of around 90, whose ages range from 8 to 50+, each show, which averages 14 numbers, from 1 person in a sketch to the whole cast in a major production number, uses around 1,000 costumes, the majority of which comes from Gang Show’s own wardrobe. The scenery is also made ‘in-house’ and moving the often cumbersome pieces of scenery along with small props, costumes and everything else needed for the show is an art form in itself!

The cast audition every October for their place in the show and then undertake 6 months of rehearsals at Gloucester’s Scout Headquarters to be ready for that special moment of being in the spotlight. The back stage Gang, all of whom are volunteers, bring their own special skills to the show and many have been a Gangstar for over 25 years. Once the Gang Show bug gets you it’s difficult to let go.

Gloucester Gang Show is now in its 4th decade, a testament to all the hard work and dedication that takes place to keep it alive and fresh for all the people taking part.

If ever you are in Gloucestershire during Easter week any year come and visit "The Bacon Theatre" and see for yourself the magic that is