Celebrating 60 years of Albury Gang Show

The curtains closed on the last of three special performances this month, as Albury Gang Show celebrated 60 years of treading the boards.

The two-and-a-half hour variety show created and presented by the Scouts and Guides of the Albury/Wodonga region held a limited three-show season reliving past Gang Show memories.

Titled Ghosts of Curtains Past, the show followed a theatre director who, on the eve of opening night, is visited by three ghosts – The Ghost of Productions Past, Present, and those Yet to Come. He faced the memories of his youthful passion, the chaos of his current cast, and the haunting possibility of a forgotten legacy.

For the cast and crew involved, they were excited to be part of the event.

“The show requires a lot of dedication and a lot of practice,” George, 11, said.

“It is a bundle of interesting and creative methods to put on a show, plus it was very fun. I felt honoured, happy, and very excited to be on the stage for such a special event in Albury Gang Show history.”

Since 1965, Scouts have graced the theatres in Albury with their rendition of the popular Gang Show format. This year’s show held true, with members continuing to have the time of their lives.

Cameron, 16, comes from a long line of Gang Show members.

“My great-uncle started Albury Gang Show and, since then, two-thirds of my family have participated. From my great-great-grandma to my mum, and now to me and my brother,” he said.

“My first year on stage, I nearly fainted, but the costume team saved me with a banana and I was right as rain. Six years later, they still call me banana boy!”

On the other hand, Freddie, also 16, is the first in his family to take part.

“My Scout Leader Harley kept pestering me to come and see what it was about and eventually I caved,” he said.

“I stayed because the people and environment is so amazing. It is some of the most fun I have ever had. I love being a part of this show and I want to do it as long as I can.”

Janie, 61, has definitely stuck with that concept, marking 22 years with the show after joining in 2004.

“I started off in the music pit playing the flute,” she said.

“I have also been on stage for many years. I have helped in the Costume Department over the years, and I am now on the welfare team for the show. When we hit the theatre, I do the calls side of stage for the cast!”

Another long-time cast member is Hannah, 30, who has been in the show for a total of 19 years – 17 of which were on stage. But finding a favourite memory in all that time is hard.

“I don’t think I could pick just one… probably when we did the evolution of dance when I was about 15 (holy moly, 15 years ago!). Or the Gang Show take of Orpheus. Slap and Tickle Polka, which was also featured in this year’s show, is another,” she said.

“Overall, the favourite memories are the feeling of family that comes with being a part of Albury Gang Show, even all these years later. Of being up there and seeing kids’ faces light up the stage as they experience the joy of performing with both old and new friends that will last years and years.”

Gang Show is not something that is done in a bubble – it requires the support of sponsors, but also other Gang Shows and Show Times from across the country. Anyone involved in a Gang Show loves when their fellow shows come to visit.

It is not an easy trip either, particularly to Albury. Melbourne Gang Show made it to see the show the night before their own bump in, while Canberra Gang Show also came down with a huge number of cast members.

Kirrawee Gang Show, who are capturing The Greatest Showman vibes in July, also travelled down, while Sunraysia Gang Show made the six-hour drive to help celebrate.

Elizabeth, 12, said it was an amazing show.

“It is something for the whole family on stage or even just watching,” she said.

“It is so much fun and I’m glad I was a part of it.”