Biggleswade Gang Show

The inspiration for Gang Shows comes from a man called Ralph Reader. He wrote, produced and directed the first Gang Show in London in 1932. At that time Ralph Reader was one of the most sought after of all professional choreographers, yet he undertook to mix his professional and amateur activities. The decision, to put on a production to raise funds, was a move which would affect his career and change his life forever.

Soon after the first Gang Show began the war years came along. The 1939 Gang Show was stopped in mid rehearsals as the nation mobilized for war. Reader's future seemed set in a new direction. His counter intelligence duties for the RAF in France saw him posing as an entertainment officer, and he organised a Gang Show with ex-scouts who had been drafted in to the RAF.

The RAF Gang Shows, as they came to be known, grew to 25 different units consisting of RAF recruits considered unsuitable for combat duties. Many of these unknowns - Peter Sellers, Dick Emery, Tony Hancock, Norie Paramor - went on to become well-known entertainers.

The RAF Gang Shows played all over the world - wherever the troops went, the Gang Show's followed.

The 1950's saw the resurrection of the Scout Gang Shows. The concept spread throughout the world - Ireland, Hong Kong, Chicago and Australia to name a few. They were based on the London Gang Show in both concept and material.

The Gang Shows were like any other theatrical presentation for that time except the stars were unpaid and the girls were boys!

Up until the 1960's Gang Show was a male domain.

The 18th of May 1982 was a day that marked the passing of a great man - one whose contribution to Scouting throughout the world is exceeded only that by Baden-Powell.

Ralph Reader is a theatre legend. In his lifetime he produced 19 shows on Broadway, 34 in London's West End and 50 shows in the Royal Albert Hall. He also wrote 15 books of plays, played in 5 films and composed over 400 songs.