How Gang Show Began
Gang Show was written and produced for the first time by a Rover Scout, Ralph Reader in 1932, in London. Ralph produced the show to raise money for a swimming pool. Thus began a tradition which is still going strong in many parts of the world today. Gang Shows are produced all through the United Kingdom and Europe, in North America, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.
Performers including Peter Sellers, Dick Emery, Tony Hancock, Harry Secombe and Max Bygraves were involved in the Show early in their careers, and they were instrumental in building the Gang Show tradition. After the Second World War, London Gang Show claimed the honour of being the first amateur show to give a Royal Command Performance. Even today, Cumberland Gang Show has had former cast members in the production of the musical sensation"Les Miserables", "Phantom of the Opera" and performing on stage and T.V. in other productions.
Gang Show was written and produced for the first time by a Rover Scout, Ralph Reader in 1932, in London. Ralph produced the show to raise money for a swimming pool. Thus began a tradition which is still going strong in many parts of the world today. Gang Shows are produced all through the United Kingdom and Europe, in North America, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.
Performers including Peter Sellers, Dick Emery, Tony Hancock, Harry Secombe and Max Bygraves were involved in the Show early in their careers, and they were instrumental in building the Gang Show tradition. After the Second World War, London Gang Show claimed the honour of being the first amateur show to give a Royal Command Performance. Even today, Cumberland Gang Show has had former cast members in the production of the musical sensation"Les Miserables", "Phantom of the Opera" and performing on stage and T.V. in other productions.
What Baden-Powell said..
Amateur Theatricals was always an interest of Baden-Powell's, from school through his army life and then in Scouting. In B.P.'s "Outlook" he says "Amateur Theatricals should be a part of every Scout's training" - Gang Show is a way in which a Scout can receive that training.
B.P said that his Headmaster at Charterhouse School, Dr Haig Brown "Looked upon play acting as a useful means of education... and so he encouraged, in fact almost ordered theatricals among us". Later, B.P. credited his acting at Charterhouse to his success in life. (From "Two Lives of a Hero")
B.P wrote to Ralph Reader about the London Gang Show ...
"I cannot get over my joy at seeing the 'Gang'. I am not merely thinking of the acting, good though that was, but of the splendid teamwork of the whole lot. Having myself, in my time, had the job of organising theatrical performances, I know pretty full well all that this means, so I can claim that it is no empty phrase on my part, when I say 'Well Done'. I would like to add my own very grateful thanks for this added reputation you have gained for the Scout Movement. It must go on and on".
In the years since then, the Gang Show has not failed our Chief - we have, and will, go on and
on.
Amateur Theatricals was always an interest of Baden-Powell's, from school through his army life and then in Scouting. In B.P.'s "Outlook" he says "Amateur Theatricals should be a part of every Scout's training" - Gang Show is a way in which a Scout can receive that training.
B.P said that his Headmaster at Charterhouse School, Dr Haig Brown "Looked upon play acting as a useful means of education... and so he encouraged, in fact almost ordered theatricals among us". Later, B.P. credited his acting at Charterhouse to his success in life. (From "Two Lives of a Hero")
B.P wrote to Ralph Reader about the London Gang Show ...
"I cannot get over my joy at seeing the 'Gang'. I am not merely thinking of the acting, good though that was, but of the splendid teamwork of the whole lot. Having myself, in my time, had the job of organising theatrical performances, I know pretty full well all that this means, so I can claim that it is no empty phrase on my part, when I say 'Well Done'. I would like to add my own very grateful thanks for this added reputation you have gained for the Scout Movement. It must go on and on".
In the years since then, the Gang Show has not failed our Chief - we have, and will, go on and
on.
Ralph Reader
William Henry Ralph Reader was born on 25th May, 1903, in Somerset, England. Orphaned before he turned nine, he was then brought up by his aunts and uncles. He joined the Scouting movement in 1914, and around the same time watched theatrical productions for the first time.
In 1920 he moved to America, and in his first few years there took up various job opportunities, including office duties and manual labour duties. He also participated in off-Broadway shows and Vaudeville, before eventually being offered the position of choreographer for a major Broadway production.
After moving back to England, Ralph continued producing and choreographing several West End productions. In all, Ralph Reader had been involved in 32 productions on New York’s Broadway and 34 productions in London’s West End, in addition to over 100 shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
With his commitments Ralph was still able to devote time to Scouting. In 1932, he first staged what would become the greatest amateur theatrical production of all time – The Gang Show.
In 1939, following the outbreak of the Second World War, Ralph was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as an intelligence officer. As a cover for his activities, twelve members of the pre-War Gang Shows were formed into the first Royal Air Force Gang Show. The Royal Air Force saw this as a great opportunity for future Royal Air Force Gang Shows to make perfect cover for Ralph’s activities. For his services to the Royal Air Force, Ralph was awarded an M.B.E. of the Military Division in 1943.
Not long after the Second World War ended, Ralph set up his own production company, Ralph Reader Limited, which revived many shows that he had produced prior to the outbreak of war in 1939. He also recommenced producing the London Gang Show in 1950, and also went on to write more songs and musical plays for the Scout Association.
In 1957, he was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E., by Her Majesty the Queen.
In 1971, Ralph was initiated and made a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, an occasion he rated as one of the proudest events of his life.
In 1974, Ralph made the decision to produce his last London Gang Show that year. Although the London Gang Show would eventually perform for the last time in that year, other Gang Shows continued to flourish. Ralph also found time to write some more songs, and occasionally made personal appearances in some Gang Show performances.
At the London Gang Show’s 50th Anniversary Reunion in March 1982, Ralph recalled many highlights of his Gang Show career, remembering such events as the first Gang Show performance and the Royal Air Force Gang Shows, among other things.
On 13th May, Ralph Reader passed away just twelve days short of his 89th birthday.
Ralph… we shall be forever grateful for your inspiration.
RALPH READER C.B.E., 1903-1982
William Henry Ralph Reader was born on 25th May, 1903, in Somerset, England. Orphaned before he turned nine, he was then brought up by his aunts and uncles. He joined the Scouting movement in 1914, and around the same time watched theatrical productions for the first time.
In 1920 he moved to America, and in his first few years there took up various job opportunities, including office duties and manual labour duties. He also participated in off-Broadway shows and Vaudeville, before eventually being offered the position of choreographer for a major Broadway production.
After moving back to England, Ralph continued producing and choreographing several West End productions. In all, Ralph Reader had been involved in 32 productions on New York’s Broadway and 34 productions in London’s West End, in addition to over 100 shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
With his commitments Ralph was still able to devote time to Scouting. In 1932, he first staged what would become the greatest amateur theatrical production of all time – The Gang Show.
In 1939, following the outbreak of the Second World War, Ralph was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as an intelligence officer. As a cover for his activities, twelve members of the pre-War Gang Shows were formed into the first Royal Air Force Gang Show. The Royal Air Force saw this as a great opportunity for future Royal Air Force Gang Shows to make perfect cover for Ralph’s activities. For his services to the Royal Air Force, Ralph was awarded an M.B.E. of the Military Division in 1943.
Not long after the Second World War ended, Ralph set up his own production company, Ralph Reader Limited, which revived many shows that he had produced prior to the outbreak of war in 1939. He also recommenced producing the London Gang Show in 1950, and also went on to write more songs and musical plays for the Scout Association.
In 1957, he was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E., by Her Majesty the Queen.
In 1971, Ralph was initiated and made a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, an occasion he rated as one of the proudest events of his life.
In 1974, Ralph made the decision to produce his last London Gang Show that year. Although the London Gang Show would eventually perform for the last time in that year, other Gang Shows continued to flourish. Ralph also found time to write some more songs, and occasionally made personal appearances in some Gang Show performances.
At the London Gang Show’s 50th Anniversary Reunion in March 1982, Ralph recalled many highlights of his Gang Show career, remembering such events as the first Gang Show performance and the Royal Air Force Gang Shows, among other things.
On 13th May, Ralph Reader passed away just twelve days short of his 89th birthday.
Ralph… we shall be forever grateful for your inspiration.
RALPH READER C.B.E., 1903-1982
The Scarlet Scarf
When Gang Show was started in London by Ralph Reader in 1932 he and his assistants decided to organise the Show as a Scout Troop. This arrangement was so successful that it has been carried out ever since. The boys who were members of the early Gang Show Troop wanted some kind of identification and it was decided to adopt a distinctive scarf. Who actually decided on the Scarlet Scarf is unknown, but it became a tradition and an identification sign. However, when Gang Shows started to spring up all over England and other parts of the world, all wearing the Scarlet Scarf, some form of local identification was needed and London showed the way by embroidering, in gold, the insignia "G.S. London" on the point of the scarf. Today each Gang has its local identifying badge in gold on the point of the scarf.
When Gang Show was started in London by Ralph Reader in 1932 he and his assistants decided to organise the Show as a Scout Troop. This arrangement was so successful that it has been carried out ever since. The boys who were members of the early Gang Show Troop wanted some kind of identification and it was decided to adopt a distinctive scarf. Who actually decided on the Scarlet Scarf is unknown, but it became a tradition and an identification sign. However, when Gang Shows started to spring up all over England and other parts of the world, all wearing the Scarlet Scarf, some form of local identification was needed and London showed the way by embroidering, in gold, the insignia "G.S. London" on the point of the scarf. Today each Gang has its local identifying badge in gold on the point of the scarf.
