My Gang Show Audition

The auditionees are put through their paces

St Albans Gang Show, is one of the largest and most popular shows of its kind in the UK.

Regularly playing to over 4000 people during its annual run in February.

The 2011 St Albans Scout and Guide Gang Show will be performed at the Alban Arena from Wednesday 16 February 2011 and runs through to Saturday 19 February 2011.

Young people who will be taking part in the show, have been telling the BBC about the build up to this year's performance.

By Imogen Carroll
St Albans Gang Show

I was really excited. It was the day of my gang show audition and I couldn't wait!

I have seen the two previous gang show performances and both were amazing.

It was something I knew I wanted to be a part of as it looked spectacular and people I know that have been in the show have really enjoyed the experience.

So when I arrived at STAGS for my audition I was slightly nervous but I was looking forward to it as well.

When I went in all of the people involved seemed really nice and they made the audition very enjoyable.

Learning the dance routines...

My favourite parts of the audition were the games at the start because they made me feel relaxed and they were great fun.

I was nervous to go up and do the group singing and dancing but I was glad I did it after all.

When the audition had finished I went away having had a good afternoon. I didn't really think about it few days after but when I got the letter in the post a week later, I quickly tore open the envelope and scanned the page to find out the result.

I am so happy that I got a place in the gang show because since the rehearsals have begun I have met some brilliant people and made quite a few friends.

Every Wednesday I always look forward to the evening and I can't wait to learn more dance routines and songs!

Front of Curtain Auditions

By Katy Leach
St Albans Gang Show

'Front of Curtains' are small sketches, songs or dances performed when the rest of the cast is busy changing for the next item. Even though it was my third year auditioning I still felt really nervous! I desperately wanted a part, as my front of curtain roles before had been so fun to be involved in!

When I arrived, I realised I'd forgotten how fun it actually is! It is set out as a workshop and we play games. At first we felt a bit silly but after a while you see the point in it; everyone relaxes and joins in together. Then we had to all stand in a circle and we had to make our way across the circle as a certain character. There were astronauts, tigers, models and much more, inside STAGS school hall!

After this, we each had to read out a paragraph to the production team, and then we had to mime going for a picnic whilst swapping from very refined and high class to quite the opposite. We finished by playing a game in groups which relied on timing. It was very funny!

It was so enjoyable that I knew even without a part, I'd be so happy that I spent my Sunday auditioning.

Luckily I was put into a sketch! I was ecstatic! It means a few more rehearsals but I know it'll be worth it. There are six of us all together, and it's going really well! I can tell you it is apparently one of the hardest sketches done in Gang Show - No Pressure!!!

And now that we're starting to rehearse in the Alban Arena, I can't wait until Show-Week comes!

Bring it on!

By Lucy Andrews
St Albans Gang Show

This is my third year in the Gang Show and each year the excitement for the show week rises. We have been working hard during rehearsals and the show is really coming together - 2011 is going to be astounding. This year Gang Show has new dance moves to go with fabulous songs and hilarious sketches. At Gang Show we do work extremely hard but we make fantastic new friends and the whole thing is so enjoyable.

Before Christmas the front of curtain, solo singing and dancing were allocated to members of the cast so practicing could begin. I was very pleased to be chosen for a front of curtain sketch because they are really fun and I have been in one every year I have been in Gang Show. Unfortunately our first rehearsal was cancelled due to the snow so we had to wait until after Christmas to find out our parts and get practicing.

Our first proper rehearsal took place yesterday 6-7pm in the Scout hut; I was really excited to be going through one of the producer's genius sketches again. We had a great time running through the script and tweaking parts - we also had many laughs about.....well you will have to wait and see for yourself!

We are working very hard to ensure that everything is perfect and the audience won't want the show to end (just like the cast!). I am sure that Gang Show 2011 is going to be nothing short of fabulous and I really can't wait to be stood on the stage again performing a magnificent show!

Regular updates

We'll have regular updates from the young people taking part in the 2011 St Albans Gang Show - so come back soon!

For more information visit the St Albans Gang Show website.