The Maidstone Gang Show is supporting two charities to benefit from the retiring collection. This year the Gang has chosen Maidstone Mencap and CLIC Sargent. You are invited to make adonation as you leave the theatre. Tuesday’s special“Gala Night” collection will benefit Maidstone Mencap.Collections from Wednesday to Saturday will benefit CLIC Sargent

Thank you for your generosity

Maidstone Mencap is a small, local charity that supports childrenand adults living in the Maidstone area who have severe learning disabilities such as Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism. We run various clubs and facilities for all age groups at our premises in Mote Park. They include a Playschool for children aged from 1 to 5 years, out of school clubs providing a range of fun activities on Saturday mornings and during school holidays and Senior Gateway Club that offers social facilities, outings and entertainment to adults. Respite and support for parents and carers is an essential part of all our services and for some carers the only respite they receive is through Maidstone Mencap.

Although affiliated to National Mencap we are an entirely separate charity and receive no financial support from them. All the funds we raise are used to support the vital services we run here in Maidstone.Maidstone Mencap is delighted to be chosen as the Gang Show’s chosen charity for Gala Night and wishes the Gang all the best.

Catherine HandleyMaidstone Mencap

Every day 10 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer.Clic Sargent is there for them….. with clinical expertise, emotional care and financial support in hospital, at home and in the community all over the UK. Because we listen and respond, we answer the real needs of children, young people and their families facing this incredible challenge

Clic Sargent wants to see a world where all children and young people with cancer live life to the full. We will be there for each family, caring every step of the way, providing individual support to children and young people with cancer and their families through:

• Clinical, psychological, emotional, financial and practical services in hospital, at home and in the community across the UK.• Being a strong voice nationally and locally and providing a platform for children and young people with cancer to express their needs and views• Research into causes and treatment of childhood cancer.

As a charity we can only be there with your support, please give generously, you will make a real difference to children with cancer.

A Message from the Production Team of Maidstone Gang Show 2009

Welcome to Maidstone Gang Show 2009! On behalf of the Gang we would like to say a massive thank you for joining us at the Hazlitt again this year. Yet again the cast have worked extremely hard learning their words and moves. We hope as you watch the show you will see that it has paid off. We would also like to recognise the hard work that has been put into the show by the ‘gang behind the gang’, much of which started before rehearsals began. Without them tonight’s show would not have been possible.

Gang Shows have traditionally been a celebration of scouting and tonight is no exception. This year’s show marks 70 years since the first Maidstone Gang Show. A milestone worth celebrating, we’re sure you’ll agree.

We would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Gang to thank all the parents, partners, friends and members of the Scout Movement in supporting the cast over the past seven months of rehearsals We really could not have done it without them!

Tonight we to invite you to sit back, stamp, cheer, clap, and sing along as the cast share with you their heart’s desire, their hopes and their dreams. As our genies grant their wishes we’ll find out that dreams sometimes do come true.

Welcome to Gang Show 2009 from the District Commissioners of

the three Maidstone Districts

Scouting is a worldwide movement with over 28 million members worldwide in 216 countries. Our Founder Robert Baden-Powellwas convinced of the potential for young people to make a positiveand full contribution to their community. This vision is enshrinedwithin the Scout Movement you see today.

Maidstone Gang Show is an example of the achievement of young people, members of Cub Packs, Scout Troops, Explorer Scout Units and Scout Network Units, working together with Adult Leaders. All have been busy rehearsing for seven months to provide the high quality entertainment you see tonight. This is in addition to their normal weekly programme of activities, including camping, climbing, hiking, craft, games and community service.

To get a show to this stage takes a great deal of hard work by the Gang you see before you, and also the Gang backstage who have sorted out scenery, props, costumes and lighting. It is also the culmination of 18 months planning by the Production Team who started developing the Show and writing the script soon after the last Show in 2007 ended.

The District Commissioners wish the Gang every success and thank them for their commitment and hard work to bring Gang Show 2009 to fruition. We thank you the audience for coming to support the Gang and hope you enjoy the Show.

Harvey Kennett (Maidstone East)Pam Mead (Maidstone South)Nigel Smetham (Maidstone West)

Production Team; from right to left

Richard Flood, Alys Leach, Mark Culver, Amanda Harle, Megan Hook

For all your trekking, camping,

ski wear and outdoor clothing

needs come to Mountain Warehouse

Maidstone

11 Week Street, Maidstone Kent ME14 1QW

Maidstone Gang Show HistoryScout Gang Shows have existed for many years, based on the original ideas of Ralph Reader CBE whose shows were performed in London and in provincial cities and towns across the country. It is now said that‘Every night of every year, somewhere in the world a Gang Show isplaying’. Tonight is our night! Maidstone was one of these provincial towns and had a Gang Show as early as 1939! The aim of Gang Show has always been to develop a sense of belonging, to encourage team spirit, increase self confidence and to provide an atmosphere of enjoyment and fun. It also introduces and develops stage skills to present a positive image of Scouting in the community .

During the war the Maidstone Gang Show was laid to rest only to be re-born in 1969 when a trial show was performed during the DistrictAGM at Oakwood Park School. In 1970, Tony Palmer produced the first fullGang Show. This was the first of many shows to be performed at our present home, Maidstone’s Hazlitt Theatre. These shows were traditional Ralph Reader Gang Shows using only his original songs, sketches and an all male cast!

It all changed with the 1974 show when Chris Hall and Ian Craddock took the producers mantle, and female Scouters became part of the main Gang for the first time. 1978 saw Ron Cattell produce the show, whichwould be the last until 1981 when the show returned to its place of birth – Oakwood Park. The 1985 show, produced by Sue Pepper, once againtook up residence at the Hazlitt Theatre.

In 1988 the show took on a more modern approach and was the first ofmany to be produced by Andy Brodie. Andy went on to produce the 1990, 1992, 1994 and 1995 shows, assisted by former & futureMaidstone Gang Shows producers.

From 1997 to 2003 the shows were produced by a production team led by Mark Culver and including at various times – Matt Caney, Steph Davies, Gill Simes, Simon Wade, Simon Davis, Toby Simons and Amanda Harle.

The 2005 show was produced by a new team consisting of - Chris Cook,Karen Card, Jo Cox, Richard Flood, Alys Leach, Neil Porter, Tom Ring and Dave Taylor. Both Jo Cox and Richard Flood carried on to producedthe 2007 show.

The 2009 production team led by Richard Flood, has seen the collaboration of past producers - Mark Culver, Alys Leach and Amanda Harle, with new member Megan Hook. Together they have the pleasure of bringing you tonight’s show.

Cubs Scouts - R to L Back Row; Victoria Starling, Aaron Miller, Alex HarwoodMiddle Row; Jason Hazlehurst, Matthew Durrant, Cameron Andrews

Front Row; Ashley Hughes, Elliott HillAbsent From Photo; Lily Smith

Scouts - R to L Back Row; Yazmine Butler – Hewitt, Ollie Burton, Liam Glazier, George Fever, Natasha Simpson, Felix Hazlehurst

Middle Row; Jonathan Mawson, Hollie Colville, Charlotte Thatcher, Charlotte Starling, Pippa Clausen

Front Row; André Tuffin Inness, Alison Hill, Ben Wright

Explorers Scouts - R to L Back Row; Michael Card, Sam Mawson, Tom Murton, Dom Smetham, Tom Vaughan

Front Row; Stephanie Hill, James Hider, Jonathan Card, Sophie Taylor

Network Scouts - R to L Back Row; Andrew Leach, Simon Grant, James Capon, Nathanael Smetham, Greg Thompson

Middle Row; Raechel King, Alys Leach, Zoe Martin Front Row; Megan Hook

Where are the cast from?The Gang comes from the following Groups / Units;

Maidstone Gang Show FellowshipMaidstone District Labyrinth Network Scout Unit and FellowshipMaidstone East - Bearsted, Grove Green and Raptor Explorer Scout UnitMaidstone South - Boughton Monchelsea, Coxheath, Loose Swiss, Marden, Ragstones Explorer Scout UnitMaidstone West - Barming, Methodist, Poseidon Explorer Scout Unit, Scylax Explorer Scout Unit, Tovil, Wanderers Explorer Scout Unit, Wateringbury, Xavier Explorer Scout Unit

Leaders - R to L Back Row; Graham Ford, Robin Offer, James Capon, Chris Flood, Gill Simes, Nathanael Smetham

3rd Row; David Brown, Jo Perman, Alys Leach, Anna Hilder, Karen Card2nd Row; Harvey Kennett, Janice Grant, Raechel King, Michael O’Kill,

Kirsty Hawkins, Sue BeeneyFront Row; Debbie Wright, Amanda Harle, Ami Culver, Joanna Fyson,

Catherine CooperAbsent From Photo; Carol Smith, Mark Cope

Maidstone Gang Show Management CommitteeJim Martin, Pam Mead, Nigel Smetham, Mark Culver,

Harvey Kennett, Richard Flood, Brian Culver

The Gang Behind the GangShow Director Richard FloodProduction Team Mark Culver, Alys Leach, Amanda Harle, Megan HookMusical Director Andy HarleThe Band Coup De Ville – Andy Harle, Mark Harle, Gerry Harle, Simon Davies, Alan RibchesterChoreography Alys Leach, Megan Hook, Richard Flood, Mark Culver, Amanda Harle, Ami Culver, Steve Langley, John Turner, Jayne Harris and Bex Randall.Costumes Carol Fever, Pauline Ovenden, Cynthia Reynolds and Trevor Fever, Scenery Alan Croucher, Mark Culver, Jim Martin and Brian Culver.Props Geoff Brinklow, Roger Baker, Pauline Brinklow, Sian HarrisLighting Andy HookSound Craig RichardsonPyrotechnics Andy HookMake Up Holly Tuffin, Charlotte Beeney, Liz Parker, Ema Ring, Catherine RickettsFront of House Jim Martin, Beccy Martin, Kim SmethamCast Secretary Karen CardStage Door Dot ManneringTicket Sales and Promotion Beccy MartinCast Catering Margaret and Stuart Brown, assisted by David BrownFirst Aid provided by members of the District FellowshipStage Director Mark CulverStage Crew Stuart Cole, Alan Croucher, Trevor Fever, Gemma Hawkes, Jim Hilder, Steve James, David Orris, Photography Rehearsal Nathanael Smetham, Jim Martin Photography Programme Jim HilderDVD Production AdVisionProgramme Art Work Nathanael SmethamWebsite Design Stuart BarronRehearsal Facilities Maidstone Methodist Centre, Brewer Street.

With much thanks to all those people we have missed! And to all the Mums, Dads, Husbands, Wives, Partners, Members of the Scout

Movement and friends thank you for your support!