Chairman’s Message

We wish a very warm welcome to our audience We hope you enjoy the Middlesbrough Scout Gangs 40th Anniversary Show

I have visited many of the rehearsals this year and have witnessed the team spirit the dedication and professional manner in which the Cast’ Production and Business Teams have worked All thanks to them for their efforts which I know will pay dividends with a wonderful 1998 Show.

40 years is long time to keep going. but keep going the Gang does: and it gives a better Show each time. Some numbers are old favourites which keep reappearing and some reflect current situations in Scouting or in the area. It is our hope that you enjoy them all – no doubt some of you were in the gang yourselves 40 years ago – so go on, sing along with us.

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Production Manager’s Message

Welcome once again to Middlesbrough Gang Show, for this our fortieth year at Middlesbrough Little Theatre. We first started here in 1958 with a show called “We’ll Live For Ever” and in our opening tonight we reproduce a number of the songs from that show. As a point of interest there are two members of the cast tonight who were in that first show.

A great deal of hard work has gone into putting on this show for you and I sincerely hope you enjoy the night. The show is produced mainly to raise money for the Scouting activities in the Middlesbrough area, and all the people concerned give their time free for the benefit of Scouting.

I would like to thank in particular:

• The members of the cast for their hard work since we started rehearsing in January
• The wardrobe people for all their efforts in ensuring that everybody goes on stage correctly attired.
• Our Musical Director for all his assistance at rehearsals as well as during the week of the show
• The Choreographer and her team for all their efforts, in coping with people who seem to have two left feet.
• The Business team and all associated with it for their efforts in allowing the Production team to concentrate on the show itself.
• The Stage crew who have been working on the scenery since January
• Our rehearsal Pianists who have kept us in tune.

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County Commissioner’s Message

It has become a pleasant tradition for the Scout Districts of Middlesbrough to present the Gang Show every two years. The high quality of the show reflects the efforts of the performers and the backroom staff. The production allows our members to demonstrate their creative side and entertain their families and friends as well as members of the public.

I am pleased to have this opportunity to wish “the gang” every success in 1998. The hard work put in by young people, and those a little older, over the previous months will all come to an end this week. These enjoyable shows have their high points, their serious parts and most of all, the not so serious parts. The Middlesbrough Gang Show 1998 demonstrates to all that Scouting is fun for both adults and young people. Long may it continue.

John R Taylor
County Commissioner

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DISTRICT COMMISSIONER’S LETTER

Once again it falls to us to welcome you to the Middlesbrough Gang Show. The show you are about to see is the product of many months of hard work by a large number of people, the production team, the cast and last but certainly not least the back stage crew who are the unsung hero’s of this production. We must thank the Cleveland Guides for all their help, it is good to see the Guiding and Scouting Movements working together so well.

This year is going to be a very busy one for Scouting in Cleveland. The International “Friendship” camp is to be held at Ripley Castle, when some 2000 Scouts and Guides from all over the world will partake of a host of activities set up by Cleveland County Leaders, a really formidable task. Let’s hope the weather smiles on us and allows the Boys and Girls to enjoy the camp to the full.

Doug Corbin is again organising a foray into darkest Africa with a group of Venture Scouts and Ranger Guides to carry out work to help those less fortunate than ourselves. This time it is to Middlesbroughs twin town of Masvingo in Zimbabwe, good luck to you all in this venture.

These are only two of the exciting activities that are being planned inside the County. These are extra to the “normal” Scout work that goes on week after week. We thank all the dedicated leaders who make this all possible. Despite all the marvellous work done by the Warranted Leadership, Scouting as we know it can only exist with the help and support of you, the people. Thank you all – now just sit back and enjoy “The Gang Show 1994”.

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a Cub Scout in 24th Middlesbrough, Group for supporting our Cast in his own way.

Michael is one of a set of triplets, the other two are members of the Cast. Michael did not want to be in the show but wanted to support his brothers so he arranged to complete a Sponsored Hike and raise money to sponsor a number in the show.After a 10 mile hike around the Saltburn area he collected a substantial sum of money which he has presented to the show. Consequently with his agreement we have allocated this to the ‘Mowgli’ number as your programme shows.Note: Scouting caters for and encourages individuals to develop in their own way.

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