What a song and dance at the 2023 High Wycombe Gang Show

Smiling, laughing, singing, dancing, cheering and clapping all happened at the 2023 High Wycombe Gang Show.

With a cast of nearly 70 children, young people and adults, there was something for everyone. The cast members and the backstage crew were all members of Buckinghamshire Scouts and Buckinghamshire Girl Guides.

After three months of rehearsals, it was time for the curtain to come up with four performances over three days. The first sketch was about pirates and this was followed by others including ‘Silent monks’ takeaway, Africa and imaginary friends.

Katie Sinclair, Assistant Producer, said: ‘The reward I get from being involved with the gang show is the commitment, enthusiasm, dedication and teamwork from all of the cast. It gives the children opportunities to do something they would not have been able to do elsewhere. Children often arrive quite shy and quiet and they leave with improved confidence and self-esteem.

We are totally inclusive and don’t have auditions to be in the show. All of the children are supported by their peers and have a team leader who gets to know all members of the team.‘

Proceeds from the staging of the Gang Show went to Enrych Buckinghamshire. At the end of the last performance a cheque for over £1,000 was presented to Nick Smith who was representing Enrych.

Arif Hussain, The Mayor of High Wycombe, said: ‘The time and commitment adult volunteers give to helping children and young people in Scouts and Guides is amazing. The volunteers give the children the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. For many of the cast, this will be the first time they have appeared on stage to a large audience and it will give them confidence and help their self-esteem.‘

Further information about Scouts can be found on their website at www.scouts.org.uk.

Further information about the Girl Guides can be found on their website at www.girlguiding.org.uk.

Further information about Enrych can be found on the Enrych website at www.enrychbuckinghamshire.org.uk.

*Source of article : Press release from Buckinghamshire Scouts.