29 Jan 2025
This year’s Harpenden and Wheathampstead Gang Show marked the end of an era, as long-running producer Ewan Murray stepped down after 32 years in the role.
The longest-running Gang Show in the world, of its record 75 shows, Ewan has been involved in 48, with this year’s sell-out shows featuring around 150 Scouts aged between nine and 18 singing, dancing and performing comedy routines.
Ewan’s first show was actually 53 years ago, he explained.
“I joined the cubs in 1969 and Gang Show was one of those things you did. Having cut my onstage teeth with Harpenden Musical Theatre Company as Kurt von Trapp in their 1971 production of The Sound of Music, I was keen to continue. My first Gang Show was the 23rd, in 1972, and other than when away at college or living abroad, I have always been involved. I took over as musical director in 1989, and as producer in 1994.”
Did he expect to still be involved over half a century later? “I’m not sure. When I took over [as producer] for the 45th show, and there only having been three predecessors, I guess I knew it may be a long term commitment, but I had hoped to be able to give up a little sooner!”
Born in Edinburgh in 1961, Ewan’s family moved to Harpenden in 1965. He went to Sauncey Wood and Crabtree Schools before moving on to Verulam. A linguist and musician by training, and a marketeer by profession, he has been in the wine trade for 25 years and is currently events manager at The Wine Society.
He explained what being Gang Show producer involves: “It’s the coordination of a team of over 100 volunteers – choreography, music, sound, lighting, set, scenery, wardrobe, props, etc. to ensure that each year we give an amazing onstage opportunity to over 140 young people which in turn will help them on life’s journey. It clearly works – we sell out every year and have a waiting list of over 70 Scouts wanting to be in it.”
So how has it evolved over time?
“It has modernised in its content, its stagecraft, its slickness and professionalism, even though run by volunteers. People coming for the first time can’t believe just how spectacular it is, and are wowed by the fact that everyone involved is a Scout. The spirit of the show, however, is still the same as it always has been. And it’s that spirit that keeps cast and audience coming back year after year.”
He explained how the team have managed to keep the show fresh over the decades: “By keeping to a tried and tested format, but having an amazing 12-strong creative team coming up with fresh ideas every year. No idea is too wacky. And we have a 10-year rule, where no song is allowed to be repeated for 10 years since its last use. So we need to stretch our minds and come up with new angles on tried and tested themes. Having said that, in my 32 years as producer, we’ve only very rarely repeated a theme. The team is amazing.”
Having been involved for so long, he is seeing Scouts who appeared in the earliest shows coming back to watch their own children: “In fact, I am now directing grandchildren of people I once performed with! There is such a family feel about the show. Everyone on the backstage team was either in the show or is related to someone who has been in it. It’s what creates that spirit I was talking about earlier.”
Ewan said he has been thinking about stepping down from the role for some time: “I wanted to make sure that I was still enjoying it when I stopped – there is nothing worse than outstaying one’s tenure. I’ve seen too many shows where the producer should have moved on before they did. Also, 75 is a nice round number!
“Two years ago I told the core team that I had decided to stop, that this show would be my last and that this should give them time to find a replacement, ideally from within.
“I am delighted that Becca Urwin, who first appeared on the Gang Show stage in 2009, is taking over from me after several years as our creative director. She is absolutely the right person for the job, and I couldn’t be prouder of the person I have seen her evolve into over the last 16 years.”
He has plenty of people to thank for their encouragement and backing over the years: “The support from the Scouting District has always been immense. So a huge thank you to each and every District Lead Volunteer over the years. My core team of Becca, Jemma, Fiona and Jeremy are fantastic in their support to me and the show as a whole. And the one person who let me do this over the years is Claire, my wife. I owe her an awful lot of my future spare time!”
At the end of his final show, Ewan was presented with a High Sheriff’s Award by current incumbent Annie Brewster, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Harpenden & Wheathampstead Gang Show, something which he says came as a complete shock.
“I have been recognised within Scouting, but to be recognised by others for the great work we do as a team (and it isn’t just me – I would be nothing without the team) to enhance the lives of young people is gratifying and heart-warming. To quote from our theme song ‘Together’ (that we sing every night during show week) ‘we share together, when we’re together, the best years of our lives’.”
Richard Washbrooke Photography.
