About the show

The Nottingham Gang Show is a fast paced variety show performed on the prestigious Theatre Royal stage by members of Nottinghamshire Scouts & Guides. The show is jam-packed with fantastic musical numbers, epic dance routines and hilarious comedy sketches. Our young people take centre stage to deliver a fun-filled feel-good variety show of epic proportions! The show is quite a spectacle, with hundreds of young people treading the boards. In the 2023 show, we had 180 members of the 'Gang'.

Although the show is an event in itself, for participants, it's a whole lot more. The show takes years to plan, write, choreograph, and rehearse before it makes it to the stage. As well as a huge on stage cast, there is also approximately 100 volunteers who work tirelessly backstage and during rehearsals - everything from staging and lighting, to dressers and the band, everyone plays their part to bring the show to life.

For our 'Gang', it's no small commitment. They work for over 6 months rehearsing their lyrics, dance routines and comedy sketches through an intensive rehearsal period - sometimes several times a week. Not only do the cast gain new skills in performing arts, but just as importantly they gain a new family of friends in their fellow cast members.

The show is steeped in history, with our 2025 show being our 75th anniversary. We're really proud of our history, and our long-running partnership with the theatre royal. You can find out more about the history of the show and the theatre royal below.

Gang Show came to Nottingham through the inspiration and drive of Cumbrian born Rover leader Bob Ross. Bob has previously been involved with the Bristol Gang Show and on his arrival in Nottingham gathered together a production team to stage Nottingham’s first Gang Show in 1951. In fact, a show was in production and being rehearsed in 1939, but events of that year led to the show being cancelled. The inaugural 1951 show was staged in February of that year at the Co-operative Arts Theatre in George Street, with a cast of 84 Scouts and leaders.

Such was its success another show followed in 1952. Again it was enthusiastically received as in the previous year. Following the high acclaim of these first two Gang Shows, it was decided a larger venue was needed, with the obvious choice of the Theatre Royal. It was a gamble and one that paid off as we’ve been there ever since.

In November 1953 the first Gang Show at the Theatre Royal was staged. The success of this and shows in the following years was evident in that between 1953 and 1959 no fewer than five shows were performed in this prestigious theatre, playing to packed houses – a testimonial to Bob and his team. These shows were still all Scout productions with an average cast of around 120 strong.

When Ralph Reader first introduced girls into the London Gang Show in 1968, Nottingham followed suit in 1969. Not everyone was in favour at the time but producer Bob Ross was forthright in his decision to include Guides in the show. This was a first step for an ever increasing involvement of girls in the show in recent times. Brownies have joined those imitable Cubs in providing their unique style of entertainment. Nowadays the balance between boys and girls provides the synergy for an up to date quality production, along with the glamour, panache and a plethora of talent to entertain you.

Bob retired in 1984 to be succeeded by former cast member Steve Shaw and he produced shows from 1985 to 1997.

Subsequent shows have been produced by Jock Shaw, James Pidgeon, Annabel Alton and Christie Wood. For over 70 years the Nottingham Gang Show has provided entertainment for the whole family. It brings communities together, both within the city and beyond, it's something we're really proud of, and we have no plans of slowing down.

The Nottingham Gang Show has been running since 1951. In 1953, owing to popular demand, we moved from the small Co-operative arts theatre to the huge Theatre Royal. We've performed our shows there ever since.

Built in 1865, the theatre is an amazing example of a classic Victorian design, and widely regarded as one of the most beautiful theatres in Britain. The auditorium seats a whopping 1,100 people split across the Stalls, Dress Circle, Upper Circle and Balcony.

Nottinghamshire Scouts and Guides are proud of our long established relationship with the theatre, so much so that in 2019 we named a seat in the auditorium to show our appreciation. You can find our dedication plaque on the back of seat A19 in the Dress Circle.

In June 2022, Nottinghamshire Scouts were awarded The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for voluntary groups. The award recognised and commended the work of several major aspects of the Scouts' work. They were particularly impressed that Nottinghamshire Scouts put on a full week run of the longest and largest 'amateur' production at the Theatre Royal - the Gang Show!

They were fascinated by just how much work goes into the show and how many young people get the unique opportunity to perform on the stage. We are extremely proud to have played our part in helping Nottinghamshire Scouts receive this award and we would like to thank all members of the gang and backstage crew, past and present for making the show what it is today.