Show No.1 - Sat 22nd October 1949
Producer: Eric Thair
Our first show put on to rave reviews by the Cast and audience. The show started with Crest of a Wave and had just 2 pianists in the "Band".
Show No.2 - 12th & 13th January 1951.
Producer: Eric Thair
Following the success of the first show the cast, parents and Leaders, all of whom enjoyed the 1st show, convinced Eric that he should do it all again next year. The Public Hall not being available in October 1950, the date was moved back to January 1951, and has stayed in January ever since.
Show No.3 - 4th & 5th January 1952.
Producers: GHS Williamson & NG Upson
The cast size increased to 87 and this year and drums were added to the band.
Show No. 5 - 7th-9th January 1954
Producer: Eric Thair
Due to audience demand to see the show an extra day is added to the run.
Show No. 7 - Dates not listed on the programme but probably 5th-7th January 1956.
Producer: Eric Thair
Show No. 8 - Dates not listed on the programme but probably 3rd-5th January 1957.
Producer: Eric Thair
The 8th Gang Show saw the Golden Anniversary of Scouting and a piece was added to the programme to celebrate this. The number of boys in the Scout sections locally at this time was just 300.
Show No. 9 Dates not listed on the programme but probably 2nd-4th January 1958.
Producer: Eric Thair
Piece added to the programme acknowledging Ralph Reader for without him Scout Gang Shows would not be being performed. It was noted that the cast of the London Gang Show performed at the Royal Command Performance this year.
Show No. 10 - 30th December 1958 & 1st-3rd January 1959.
Producer: Eric Thair
Yet another day is added and a performance on New Years Day. Hardy lot back then!
Show No.11 - Dates not listed in the programme but probably 6th-9th January
Producer: Eric Thair
The cover this years featured photographic scenes from previous shows. We still have the block used to produce this in our archives. A bass is added to the band.
Show No.12 - Dates not listed in the programme but probably 6th-9th January.
Producer: Eric Thair
Cover same as last year but in pink! The programme featured the first photo of the Gang.
Show No. 14 - Dates not listed in the programme but probably 2nd-5th January 1963
Producer: Eric Thair
By far the simplest programme cover we ever had.
Show No. 16 - Dates not list in the programme but probably 6th-9th January 1965
Producer: Eric Thair
Show No. 17 - Dates not listed on the programme but probably 5th-8th January 1966
Producer: Eric Thair
Featured a picture of our own Eric Thair.
Show No. 18 - Dates not listed on the programme but probably 4th-7th January 1967.
Producer: Eric Thair
Show No. 19 - Dates not listed on the programme but probably 3rd-6th January 1968.
Producer: Eric Thair
Jack Skinner assisted Eric with a view to taking over in 1969. Choreography is listed for the first time instead of "dances arranged by..." No bass this year.
Show No. 20 - 1st-4th January 1969.
Producer: Jack Skinner
Sixteen Rangers joined the Gang.
Show No.21 - Dates not listed in the programme but probably 7th-10th January 1970
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
Marilyn takes over the role of Producer. Little did we know then just how long she would do this. The Rangers in the cast again for our 21st birthday! Accordions and guitars are added to the band.
Show No.22 - Dates not listed in the programme but probably 6th-9th January 1971.
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
The Rangers Guides join the Venture Scouts and the show is back to being all Scouts. Accordions and guitars are removed from the band.
Show No.23 - 5th-8th January 1972.
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
Ewan Murray listed in the programme in the Cubs for the first time. Little did we realise that he would be our Producer in times to come. Double bass added to the band.
Show No. 24 - 3rd-6th January 1973
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
Roland Swallow and Rene Scott, the long time pianists, are pictured and credited this year along with John Hudson, the new DC, and Graham Knowles, on the drums.
Show No. 25 - 2nd-5th January 1974
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
Our 25th anniversary! Eric Thair made his reappearance after being Front of House for a few years. Gwen Angood, the Cub producer, announced this was her last show. Geoff Kelly joined this year as musical director. It was also the last London Gang Show (the one that started it all) It was also the last year for Roland, Rene and Graham in the band.
Show No. 26 - 1st-4th January 1975
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
Joan Grimwade had to step into the breach for the choreography as Philippa Buller had illness problems. John Wright was on the piano.
Show No. 27 - 31st December-3rd January 1976.
Producer: Marliyn Hudson
It was noted by the Chair of the Parish council that there were 170 in the cast. They must have been falling off the stage on to the band! H&S would have had a field day. The Drum and Trumpet Corps of the 4th Harpenden are credited.
Show No. 29 - 4th-7th January 1978.
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
Appeal for funds to help buy the Freehold of Lochernhead Scout Station in Scotland for Hertfordshire Scouts. Accordion makes a reappearance in the band.
Show No. 30 - 3rd-6th January 1979
Producer:- Marilyn Hudson
175 on stage! Probably the largest number we ever had. A centre spread featured the Gang photo that was the first of many to come.
Show No.32 - 7th-10th January 1981.
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
he show this year included a steel band from Beech Hill School.
Show No. 34 - 5th-8th January 1983
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
Fran Franklin produces the Cub number.
Show No. 35 - 4th-7th January 1984.
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
Joan Grimwade and Angela Archer listed as choreography. Violin and flute added to the band.
Show No. 39 - 6th-9th January 1988.
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
"Mac" Noble ended his 10 year run as set designer with the show this year.
Show No. 40 - 4th-7th January 1989.
Producer:- Marilyn Hudson
Ewan Murray takes over as Musical Director and Angela Archer as choreographer.
Show No.41 - 3rd-6th January 1990.
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
This is the 21st show with Marilyn as the Producer.
Show No.42 - 2nd-5th January 1991.
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
This year saw Marilyn appointed as the DC.
Show No. 44 - 6th-9th January 1993
Producer: Marilyn Hudson
This is Marilyn' last show as Producer. She passes the baton on to Ewan after 27 tuneful years. The Band listed as "Chapter Eight". Ewan plays piano in this.
Show No. 45 - 5th-8th January 1994.
Producer: Ewan Murray
All agree that the show is in a good pair of hands. Ewan, the Cub that argued with the pianist all those years ago, does a very good job of his first show in charge.
Show No. 46 - 4th-7th January 1995.
Producer: Ewan Murray
The number of young people that turned up for the first rehearsal was well over what could be safely put on stage. For the first time cast numbers had to be restricted.
Show No. 47 - 10th-13th January 1996.
Producer: Ewan Murray
This year is Fran Franklin' last Cub Number as the Mini Gang Producer. Pam Woodford-Smith (nee Hewitt) who sang the first girls solo in 1969 has her 3 children in the show this year.
Show No. 49 - 7th-10th January 1998.
Producer: Ewan Murray
Richard "Rikki" Harrington takes over as Cub producer and little did we know that we are in for an extended run of good items from the Cubs over the years.
Show No. 50 - 5th-9th January 1999.
Producer:- Ewan Murray
Our Golden Anniversary! The show production run increased to 5 nights such is the demand for tickets over the years. Programme sized increased to A4 as a special once off. Also the first cover to feature the dancers logo which was around for a few years. The show went down a storm every night and included golden balloons being dropped from a large net onto the audience each night. The first Harpenden Gang Show web page is produced in the run up to the show.
Show No.51 - 4th-8th January 2000.
Producer: Ewan Murray
Featured the Millennium Bug from the Cub Scouts which went down a storm with the audience.
Show No.52 - 9th-13th January 2001.
Producer: Ewan Murray
Miss Patsy Ross was presented with a Gang Show scarf for being the most consistent supporter. She has seen 51 of the 52 shows, only missing out on one due to being ill in hospital.
Show No.53 - 9th-12th January 2002.
Producer: Ewan Murray
Ewan's 25th show! Including his time in Cubs, Scouts, Ventures and now Producer / Musical Director.
Show No. 56 - 12th-15th January 2005.
Producer: Ewan Murray
The spotlight falls on Rikki Harrington "the Cub who never left" in this programme.
Show No. 57 - 11th-14th January 2006.
Producer: Ewan Murray
The spotlight fell on Graham Thomson this year. He is the rehearsal pianist and recounts the story of the 46 songs.
Show No. 58 - 8th-11th January 2007.
Producer: Ewan Murray
One of the unseen people of the Show featured this year. Chris Pettit, the Music Arranger has been with our show since 1990 (41st show) and wife Sue plays reeds in the Band for several years. His love of music include teaching and lecturing about it.
Show No. 59 - 9th-12th January 2008.
Producer: Ewan Murray
A real rocking show again this year with the gang giving their all. there were 18 of our Cast member at the Live07 event at the O2 and Webmaster, Rod Keen, gave us an insite into his Scouting history.
Show No. 60 - 6th-10th January 2009.
Producer:- Ewan Murray
Bit of a circus theme on one section with some brilliant juggling by "Dan the man". Great special logo for our diamond anniversary. Peter Lovatt joins the Crew as Choreographer. Cubs enjoyed themselves on a video game themed number.
Show No.61 - 5th-9th January 2010.
Producer: Ewan Murray
Some memories from past Cast members.
Show No.62 - 11th-15th January 2011.
Producer: Ewan Murray
Programme printing moved to a new supplier and is all digital. Better quality print and graphics.
Show No.63 - 10th-14th January 2012.
Producer: Ewan Murray
Applications to be in the Cast are now accepted via online form.
Show No. 65 - 7th-11th January 2014.
Producer: Ewan Murray
The show was dedicated to our long time Producer, Marilyn Hudson, who died in May 2013. The spotlight fell on the hard working Scenery team this year.
Show No. 66 - 6th-10th January 2015.
Producer: Ewan Murray
An absolutly brilliant show including a Bollywood number and a dance number with some rather snazzy LED visual effects.
Show No. 67 - 5th-9th January 2016.
Producer: Ewan Murray
It was always going to be a hard job to following the 66th show but the Cast & Crew pulled off 6 A* performances. A brilliant series of numbers with some excellant solo peformances too. The "Dogs-The Musical" number was great. Good to see the Mini Gang getting their canine teeth into their roles.
Show No. 69 - 9th-13th January 2018.
Producer: Ewan Murray
A brilliant all round show. The "On the Shelf number" was very good I thought, as was the duet dance.
Show No. 70 - 8th-12th January 2019.
Producer:- Ewan Murray
A true PLATINUM celebration of our Gang Show. Brilliant work by our Cast & Crew to pull off a show that saw flying ostrich in the Mini Gang number and some dance moves that wouldn't shame a West End show.
Show No.71 - 7th-11th January 2020
Producer: Ewan Murray
Another brilliant show which saw Mini Gang Cavemen. A peek behind the workings of Government. Forgetful goldfish. Some very good dance routines. The Cast really laid it on for us this week.
Show No.72 - 11th-15th January 2022.
Producer: Ewan Murray
The Covid-19 delayed 72nd show and the first in the new Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden, and didn't we do it well! Included a rendition of Bring me Sunshine which was a good touch.
Show No.73 - 10th-14th January 2023
Producer: Ewan Murray
Mini gang in Norway, dancing cowboys, shuffling cards, singing artists, fighting tribes and a heart-stopping jobs sketch. What more could you want!
Show No.74 - 9th-13th January 2024.
Producer: Ewan Murray
Dancing bees for the mini gang, a jungle inclding elephants and chameleons and a circus. What else could you want apart from an antiques shop with audience participation!