For the last few years images and news from the annual Hornsby Gang Show have flooded my news feed during the winter school holidays. I’ve always been intrigued by the event and this year I decided to find out a little more and perhaps even attend. Earlier this week I was fortunate enough to meet up with Mike ‘Doc’ de Beer who is the Production Director of the Hornsby Gang Show.
Hi Doc, thank you for speaking with the Kid Bucket List today. We’re super keen to hear about the Hornsby Gang Show. To start off, who is the Hornsby Gang and what type of show are they running?
Hornsby Gang Show is a variety show put on by the scouts and guides of Sydney North region. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s just a small show just for scouts and guides – the show has been running for the last 40 years and this year we will be doing 8 shows to over 3500 people!
What’s your role in the show?
I’m the Production Director of the show – I am responsible for everything from the Creative Team and the writing of the show to everything you will see on stage. I have a fantastic production team that helps me out along the way with another 200 volunteers involved behind the scenes.
Do you have a background in theatre yourself?
I started in Hornby Gang Show in 1996 as a small, shy kid. Gang Show allowed me to gain confidence and skills in the performing arts. I never would have thought 20years ago when I started that I would one day be Directing the show! I have also been involved in a number of musical societies both performing on stage and directing.
So what are we likely to see at this year’s performance?
This year show is a high paced, vibrant show that will have the audience laughing, singing and dancing in their seats! It is full of sketches, dances and incredible singing. Being a variety show, the audience never knows where they are going to be taken next. From singing and dancing scarecrows in a field to talking chocolate bars stuck in a chocolate machine, from 80’s aerobic dancing to a murder mystery that goes wrong… this show has everything!
Is there a theme?
The show this year is called Hornsby Gang Show – LIVE
This is for a couple of reasons – Firstly the show all-live including a 15-piece live orchestra. Secondly, part of the show is set in a TV studio following the adventures of a new weather girl and the crazy situations she gets into. This year we are creating the magic of TV Live on stage!
Do you purchase the script or is it written by the gang?
The show is a mixture of songs and sketches written by the Hornsby Gang Show Creative team with some commercial music mixed in. We have a talented team of writers that started writing this year’s show almost 12 months ago!
How many kids are part of the cast and crew?
This year we have 110 cast members on stage aged between 11 and 30! They have been rehearsing for the last 5 months to bring the show to life. We then have over 200 volunteers behind the scenes making the show happen. They help with everything from sets and construction, wardrobe (we have over 660 costumes in this year’s show!), catering, Front of House, lighting, sound and so much more!
And they are all scouts and guides?
Everyone in the cast is a member of Scouts or Guides. Gang Show gives them an opportunity to express the creative side and perform on stage. Past cast members have gone on from Gang Show to perform on cruise ships, musicals and TV shows so it is also a great stepping stone as well
When is opening night?
Opening night is on Friday 1st July! All up there are 8 shows over the first week of the school holidays including 3 matinee shows. Last year almost every show sold out, so get in quick before you miss out!
Where can we find out more and book our tickets?
More info and booking tickets can all be done on our website www.gangshow.com There is also a contact us form on there for anyone who would like more information!
What do you love most about the Hornsby Gang Show?
The opportunity it gives youth to do something that they may not normally get to do. It helps get kids away from TV, computers and phones and allows them to express their creative side. I got so much out of the show as a kid and it’s great to be able to give that back to the show!
So if we have any readers with children who are interested in joining the Gang Show in 2017, how can they go about it?
Auditions are held in December each year and we would love anyone who is a scout or Guide aged 11-30 to try out! You can put your name down on the audition mailing list at www.gangshow.com and we will send you an email when auditions are open.
A huge thanks to Doc and the Hornsby Gang Show for speaking with us. Head to www.gangshow.com for more details and to book tickets.
I’ve seen this show. It’s fantastic!! I took my nephews aged 5 and 8 last year. They sat glued to their seats the entire performance. I can’t believe that this show is put together and run completely by volunteers. It’s held at Barker College Hornsby which is a fantastic venue.
My advice is to buy tickets in the gallery for the best view.
The keyword with any Gang Show performance is “enthusiasm”, and the Hornsby Gang Show cast knows how to really show their enthusiasm from the get-go.
I myself am with the Cumberland Gang Show (which will be performing its 2016 season at the Riverside Theatres in Parramatta from 8 to 16 July), and it’s always great to see Scouts and Guides getting the chance to perform in a theatre environment. (Incidentally, some of Cumberland’s cast will be there for their opening night [as they have done in previous seasons].)
There are several Gang Shows all around Australia, New Zealand and the UK. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a cast member’s first year or tenth year, whether the show is performed in Albury or in Brisbane, or whether it’s a small cast or a large cast; a Gang Show performance is worth the experience from all points of view.
(If you would like to see the Cumberland Gang Show as well, please contact the Riverside Theatre box office on (02) 8839 3399 during business hours.)
Brendan- thank you so much for this! I was only aware of Hornsby Gang Show until when I posted on IG and saw the Cumberland Gang Show! How amazing to hear it’s in so many places! What’s the Cumberland website?
Cumberland Gang Show’s website – http://www.gangshow.asn.au
Online bookings – https://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/cumberland-gang-shows-power-up/