TELL THE WORLD
The 53rd Chelmsford Gang Show, at the Civic Theatre
27.04.10


It used to be all khaki. But this, the most colourful Gang Show yet, opened in a riot of orange and green, with a lively number ending in a very effective mass handjive.
There was red, white and blue for the Travel Sequence. And not one but two sets of street moves to a booming backing track.
I liked the way the weather improved from Raindrops [an impressively brave solo descending a staircase] to Sun Shine [from the newly revived Hair].
As ever, the Mini Gang showed promise, their moral tale of the Dark Siders [with their talented silver-clad leader] enlivened by some classic standards. I enjoyed the sophistication of Man in the Mirror, and the last production number – Love – was very nicely done. 
Sometimes I was surprised that the large chorus made so little noise – maybe this was a first night balance problem. 
There were some moments that even the enthusiastic uniformed audience found less exciting. The usual rules apply: if everyone stands in line, or takes turns with a verse, or is stuck against a front cloth, or is having to read the words …


Has the Gang Show lost touch with its roots ?  Well, there was little recognizable Ralph Reader this year, and almost no significant cross-dressing, unless you count the monster in a tutu.
And once you've embraced Return to Sender, Robbie Williams and Radio Gaga, there'll be no more In My Dreams I'm Going Back to Gilwell …