The Gang Show began in England in 1932 and was created by a young Rover Scout named Ralph Reader, who was already establishing a strong reputation in theatrical circles.
In fact, Reader had become a celebrated and in-demand choreographer on Broadway before his life took a remarkable turn: he wrote and produced the first Gang Show to raise funds for a local swimming pool.
Recognising the value of this new form of training and performance, Baden-Powell encouraged him to continue, and Reader did just that by going on to establish the world-famous London Gang Show and composing hundreds of songs and sketches, including the iconic “We’re Riding Along on the Crest of a Wave” in 1934.
The Gang Show grew and became one of Scouting’s most enduring traditions and is also the only amateur production ever to be honoured with Royal Command performances.
Many well-known stage and film personalities took part in Gang Shows early in their careers, including Sir Harry Secombe, Sir Richard Attenborough, Peter Sellers, Darryl Stewart, Max Bygraves, Spike Milligan, Norrie Paramor, Dick Emery, Tony Hancock, and numerous others. Their involvement helped strengthen and popularise the Gang Show tradition.
Gang Shows soon spread to other countries around the world, and it is often said that somewhere, on any given night, a Gang Show is being performed.