21 Dec 2023
It’s that time of year again when the energy, enthusiasm and hard work of hundreds of St Albans children and adult volunteers come together to make spectacular memories and build skills to last a lifetime.
Yes, rehearsals are well under way now for the award-winning St Albans Gang Show.
The last rehearsal before Christmas has now taken place and after the break there will be just five weeks before curtain up.
Since 1980, the annual variety show has been featuring young people aged 11-25 from the St Albans District Scouting and the Guiding St Albans Division.
Rehearsals have been held in a Scout hut throughout the autumn and young people and their leaders work hard all year round to put fresh creative content plans in place. Absolutely everybody involved dedicates their time free of charge because they know what a difference it makes.
We spoke to producer Hermione Drew and asked what people can expect to see on stage this year?
“Some of the best songs (ever), a mystery to solve, something to the head warm, a flock of fun, someone saving the day and a chance to take you dancing back in time. That is like a Gang Show 2024 riddle that is – you will have to come and watch in February to see if you can work it all out!”
She told us that the cast had a great rehearsal before they broke for the holiday and that everybody now knows which parts of the show they are in and the songs and dances they need to learn.
“We have been so proud of the history of the show to watch previous cast members go on and achieve great things in theatre and the performing arts. One has gone on to play Fantine in Les Miserables in the West End, another has just made their West End debut in The Time Traveller’s Wife.
“We are also forever proud of S Club 7 member Paul Cattermole who was in St Albans Gang Show when he was a teenager. To watch his rise to fame was incredible, and he is missed by so many in our Gang Show community.
“The costume team will be busily sewing and the staging team will be busy creating our sets. There is a lot to pack in but the energy and enthusiasm in the cast and volunteer team is high, ready to make it one of our best shows yet.”
Former producer David Barker visited the rehearsal at the weekend to create a video message from the cast.
The show will run from February 14–17 at the Alban Arena and tickets are still available at https://stalbansgangshow.com/tickets so don’t miss out!
