The Gang Show was created by a person called Ralph Reader, who was born in Crewkerne, Somerset, England in 1903. In 1931 Ralph, a Rover Scout Leader was a leading actor and theatrical producer in the USA and London. He was asked if he could write a Scout based amateur production to raise funds for a swimming pool at the Downe Scout Camp, rehearsals started in May of 1932, with the curtain going up on October 31 1932 at London’s Scala Theatre under the title “The Gangs All Here”, and ran till the November 1 the same year. The show was not a sell out but raised enough money to build the swimming pool. Baden Powell was so impressed with the show that he persuaded Ralph to produce a further show in 1933, which was called “The Gang Comes Back”, this show ran for one week.
To identify members of the ”Gang” a Red Scarf with the lettering “GS” was designed to be worn by members who had taken part in a Gang Show, these days the red scarf with gold lettering on the back is awarded to UK Gang Shows, by The Scout Association, that have reached a certain standard of show.
During the war years Ralph was asked to produce similar shows for the RAF to raise morale. In one article Ralph recalls “One night in West Africa about twenty-five years ago, when I was in the Royal Air Force, I was sitting in my tent. A burly young pilot walked in. He stood there, in his light blue R.A.F. uniform, grinning from ear to ear. Around his neck was his Red Scarf. All he said was, “What time does rehearsal start, Skip?”
From that small beginning, the Gang Show has become one of the traditions of Scouting and has given Three Royal Command performances, first in 1937 and then again in 1957 and 1964 – the only amateur act to ever receive this honour.
During the 1950’s the concept of Gang Show spread throughout the world – Ireland, Hong Kong, America , New Zealand and Australia to name a few. They were all based on the London Gang Show in both concept and material.
Ralph Reader died on the 13th of May 1982, but the Gang Show still lives on.
From an EP released in 1963, produced by Ralph Reader, here are four samples of the kind of music featured at these shows. The Decca recording was produced by Frank Lee and the music performed by Roland Shaw and his orchestra.
Thanks to the Swindon Scouting Group in Swindon, U.K. for providing permission to use the history of The Gang Show to help create this exhibit. The Swindon Gang Show is an event they continue to stage to this day.