Opening night of Gosport Gang Show is huge success

Youngsters from Scout groups in Gosport and Fareham put on their annual performance in front of their friends and families for last night’s opening show.

Scouts were joined on stage for their songs and musical numbers by adult volunteers.

Ellen Ridout was taking part in her 13th show. The 23-year-old enjoyed a new dance introduced for this year’s performance.

She said: ‘The blackout part of the show was really good.

‘It was the first time we have done something like this with the whole stage in darkness while we dance with glow sticks and fluorescent paint.’

Alison Pettit, 21, also liked that section. She added: ‘It was awesome to do. It was exciting.’

The Gosport Gang Show started in 1978 and encourages Scouts of all ages to get involved.

In 2000, the Fareham Scouts were invited to join in and the show is held at Ferneham Hall in the town.

Rehearsals started in November and the cast spent five months practising.

This year’s show had music from the 1960s, a sketch with ventriloquist puppets and featured superheroes.

Christopher Tiley-Dixon, who has been taking part in the Gosport Gang Show for nine years, was in the ventriloquist song. The 16-year-old said: ‘I was looking forward to that part the most and it was really exciting.’

More performances are being held this evening and Saturday at 7.15pm with the gala dinner show on Friday night. Afternoon shows are also being held at 1.30pm today and on Saturday.

Grace Williams, 15, said: ‘Opening night always makes me most nervous. After the first performance you settle in and know what it feels like.’

She added: ‘My favourite part of the show was the Carnaby Street, 1960s sketch. It was a lot of fun.’

For information on the show visit gosportgangshow.co.uk.