A Little Bit About Us...
Marple Gang Show is a variety show jointly organised by 1st Marple Scout Group and Girlguiding Marple District. Each year a cast of Guides, Scouts, Explorers, Rangers and leaders put on 11 lively and colourful performances at the Carver Theatre in Marple.
There’s plenty of music, enthusiastic singing and dancing and short sketches too. Sometimes the stage is full with most of the cast whilst at other times it will be a small group.
The cast spend many hours rehearsing in the months leading up to the show dates and members of the back stage and support teams spend more time on costume, sourcing and making props, finding the right items to include in the programme and providing front of house and admin teams.
Our History
The first Marple Gang Show was in 1965 when Scouters and Guiders were asked to put on an entertainment for Marple Senior Citizens at the Parish Hall on Chadwick Street. We based our first show on the original London Gang Show written and directed by the late Ralph Reader C.B.E, a format that has evolved into our show today.
The reputation of our show stretched far and wide with cast members from other Gang Show's travelling many miles to see the only Gang Show in the entire country that is produced by a local Scout Group (as opposed to a Scout District or County).
As a result of our consistent hight quality, our show has been awarded the coveted 'Red Necker'. This National Scout Award is presented only to those Gang Shows of quality and structure similar to those first produced in professional London theatres. The eligibility for the Red Necker is re-assessed regularly, and Marple Gang Show is proud that they have maintained the standard of the show and their cast worn the Red Necker consecutively since 1978.
Scouting & Girlguiding In Marple
Today, our show is put on by members of Scouting and Girlguiding in Marple. Both organisations are extremely popular in the local community.
Scouting in Marple started in 1908 and has grown from strength to strength ever since. We are currently home to three Beaver colonies, three Cub packs, two Scout troops, two Explorer units and a Scout Network group.
Scouts are do-ers and give-it-a-go-ers. Yes, we go camping, hiking, swimming, abseiling, cycling and canoeing. But, we also get to hang out with our friends every week – having fun, playing games, working in a team and taking on new challenges.
With guiding, girls have fun, adventure and the space to discover their potential. They go to their first ever sleepover, canoe on rivers, learn about body confidence, and lead their own camp. Or sometimes they simply have fun and try new things with friends.
Girls take what they do in guiding with them as they grow up. Everything from working in a team, to taking the lead, to speaking out on issues they care about. It helps them develop the skills and confidence to become the young women they want to be. And to make a difference to the world around them.
Our Cast Charity: Francis House
Frances House has been our Gang’s chosen charity since 2010, during which time the very generous contributions of our audiences to the bucket collection at the end of each show have raised over £8000.
From their site in Didsbury, Francis House is a lifeline to more than 600 families from across Greater Manchester including Stockport, Oldham, Bury, Rochdale, Manchester, Salford and Trafford. They provide high levels of clinical care to the families of children and young adults with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
Children, young people and family members are welcomed into a friendly, home from home environment. The support they offer includes physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual care from a dedicated multi-disciplinary care team. Telephone Support is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
