Gang Show Act 2 Pics
Back with a Bang!
Back from the break – a time for exciting youngsters in the audience to take selfies with the glitter of the King’s in the background and remind us old cynics quite how glorious the old theatre is.
Back from the break with the most fascinating sequence of the whole evening, coming in under the intriguing title of Spooky Panto Nightmare.
Spooky Panto Nightmare. Photo Ryan Buchanan
Based, for starters, on Spooky Mormon Hell Dream from The Book of Mormon, which director Andy Johnston had transformed into nightmare vision of being taken to the King’s Panto at an early age… Gang Show carries on the Music Hall tradition of mocking your rivals – in the friendliest of ways.
More Spooky Panto Nightmare. Photo Michael Walker
It then morphs into Transylvania Mania from Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein, before going into wild and furiously funky version of I’m In Love With A Monster, the track from the Fifth Harmony track used on Hotel Transilvania 2.
Next! Photo Ryan Buchanan
Next? Well, that was Next! a sequence based on the machinations of pushy parent trying to get their children on the stage as surrogates for their own ambition. It’s a situation which Johnston must be well used to – and dire warning for parents in the audience.
Next! – Give Up Your Dreams. Photo: Ryan Buchanan copy
Couldn’t resist this brilliant pic of Sean Hughes who dragged up as the ubiquitous practice pianist to sing Give Up Your Dreams from School of Rock, before the section moved off into Electricity.
Next! Electicity – Ryan Buchanan
The song and dance number from Billy Elliot, with six male dancers, was a reminder of the talents of John Duncan, who died earlier this year and was for many, many years, the company MD and very faithful servant to the show.
Our Friend. Photo Ryan Buchanan
And so in to the final straight, with the Gang warmed up, voices calmed from their nerves, dancers focussed and a sequence of stunning numbers in Our Friend… Bringing together For Good from Wicked, with Children Will Listen, from Into the Woods.
Our Friend…. Photo Ryan Buchanan
Number which, given their ages, will no doubt have been arranged and orchestrated by John Duncan.
The dancers in Somewhere. Photo Michael Walker
More sumptuous singing for Somewhere, with Alice Bailey in glorious voice and the dancers really gaining some air, in Somewhere Only We Know.
Jekyll photo Ryan Buchanan
And so to a slightly more obvious comedy sequence, with Cameron Kilgore as a Dr Jekyll figure, trying out different potions and transforming into different (in)famous Scots – and a few non-scots. Before breaking into a thoroughly reputable This Is The Moment, from Jekyll & Hyde.
Scottish Stuff photo Ryan Buchanan
Which left some time for a comedy sequence, together with audience “participatation” as Gerard Kelly used to call it, complete with song sheet, in Scottish Stuff.
Finale – Hero. Photo Ryan Buchanan
Before Tatiana Honeywell led off in Hero, giving the rest of the 108-strong main gang time to get ready for the big finale.
Riding Along on the Crest of an Edinburgh Gang Show Finale. Photo Ryan Buchanan.jpg
And here they all are, Riding Along on the Crest of a Wave, in the big traditional finale.
But it would not happen without the over 100 adults who work backstage to help bring the Edinburgh Gang Show to fruition. Many of whom, like Scott Walker who organised the images for this feature, started their performing life on stage with the Gang, and can be seen in amateur shows across the city and beyond.
Not to forget Andrew Thomson who has stepped into John Duncan’s shoes as MD – and solid work he gives too. While Louise Williamson provided some exceptional choreography this year. It seems she has a very talented troupe to work with.
Images for Act 1 are here: Gang Show 2016 Pictured
Thom’s review of the show is here: ★★★★☆ Ambitious.
Listing
Edinburgh Gang Show 2016
(Running time 2 hours and 45 minutes with one interval).
King’s Theatre, 2 Leven Street EH3 9LQ
Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 November 2016.
Evenings: 7pm; Matinee, Sat: 2.15pm.
Tickets and details: http://www.edtheatres.com/gangshow
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