The Sold Out notices went up at the Kenneth More Theatre a month before our opening night, such was the clamber for tickets to our first Joint Scout and Guide County Gang Show, born out of Showstoppers 2003, it was decided that we should have a fully integrated show. Work on the show started some 2 years ago with initial meetings and planning. In May we had our first cast call and were encouraged by the response with about 90 people turning up and being put through their paces. In June we had a selection day with only 80 cast members, but everyone who turned up were asked if they wanted to be considered for singing a solo, were given simple dance steps and movement, along with drama, each cast member was marked according to their ability. We then set about casting the show based upon those markings, this proved to be a very useful process and other than small changes to the cast due to individual skills, was what we ended up with at the final show.

On behalf of the 9th Barking & Dagenham can you send a great big Thank You and Well Done to all involved in tonights (Thursday) performance.

From the sweepers and tea makers to the performers themselves, they all did themselves proud.

It was quite simply outstanding.. brilliant.

We will be making a booking for our group, Beavers to Leaders, for next years performance as soon as we possibly can.

An excellent show. Darren Dowling 9th B &D

I am sure you were all very pleased with tonight's performance. Well done to everyone for all their extremely hard work and commitment tonight! 'Bon chance' with Friday's performance and see you all Saturday. Best wishes DJM

Congratulations! Iit was a great show which we thoroughly enjoyed last night. It was obviously the culmination of a lot of hard work by the participants on stage and the back stage workers too. One of my guides would like to audition for the next one! No doubt you will want and deserve some recovery time. Carole Clarke 23rd Ilford Guides

Photos |