Edinburgh Gang Show 2025
★★★★☆ Joyous
Festival Theatre: Tues 4 – Sat 8 Nov 2025
Review by Hugh Simpson
Once again, the Edinburgh Gang Show 2025 provides a showcase for the abilities of huge numbers of youngsters. In its adopted home at the Festival Theatre until Saturday, this year’s version is immensely enjoyable.
Long-term director Andy Johnston (also responsible for much of the material) is once again joined by co-director Louise Neal, and a tight grip is kept on the show throughout. With such a huge cast, a variety of styles and many costume changes, it is always a source of wonder that such a pacy, enjoyable show emerges.
Edinburgh Gang Show 2025 – The Opening (Main and Junior Gang). Pic: Andrew Perry.
The first half in particular is an absolute riot, a whirlwind of song and dance, with a carefully chosen combination of songs and sketches both well-known and unfamiliar.
There is also a pleasing balance between individual spots and ensembles, kicked off by the first number The Big Time. Ellie Budd shows no sign of being daunted by opening proceedings with a solo on a song from Mack and Mabel, with the ensemble joining in.
A beautifully pitched number about the attraction of the Gang Show itself crystallises the blend of old and new, and is excellently performed by Skye Jamieson, Amilia Margiotta, Meg Duncan, Laura Foley, Joey Breeze, Caelin Shanks, Rory Comer and Emeraude Alixe.
impressive solo singing spots
Elsewhere the first half features extremely impressive solo singing spots from Amilia Margiotta, Joey Breeze, Elspeth Hardacre, Eve Morrison, Sam Skivington, Amy Jacobs and Jess Helmsley.
The comic interludes largely avoid the usual jokes about tramworks for a somewhat more anarchic approach, with a version of the Nativity drawing on the musical of that name but also featuring a joke from The Life of Brian. Narrated by Iris Laskery and Casey-Rose Mitchell, this segment features Eilish Meaney, Alfie Woods, Noel Baker-Grey, Abby Boyack, Rohan Arnold, Harris Cairns, Anaaya Parpia, Ali Breeze, James Simpson and Freya McVittie, with Ella Barnes as a put-upon donkey and Lucea Brown as the attention-seeking Star.
Gang Show 2025. Where We Belong! (Main Gang). Pic: Andrew Perry.
A cheerleading sketch with a reworking of Chappell Roan’s Hot To Go! starring Emily McKellican and Rory Comer has just the right amount of pantomime ridiculousness, while the disco medley not only has huge energy but also features impressive dancing glitter balls.
In between is the Junior Gang’s featured number, a primary-coloured gallop through just about every annoyingly catchy holiday-related song you could name.
reflective
After the ludicrous momentum built up, the second half is understandably more reflective. It could probably do with the comic sections being pruned a little and maybe losing one dance routine.
However, the quality is undiminished. Solo spots for Sophia Adams, Amilia Margiotta, Rosa Ross, Olivia Smith and Lana Ramachandran are well performed, with Eliza Finlay’s take on Adele’s Rolling in the Deep being a particular highlight. A version of Found Tonight, the Hamilton/Dear Evan Hansen mash-up, is touchingly led by Rory Pickin, Molly Haddow, Ewan Arnold and Jessica Hicks.
Gang Show 2025. Holiday Hijinks (Junior Gang). Pic: Andrew Perry.
Joey Breeze and Caelin Shanks return for a comedy magic scene that has an excellent pay-off, while Eve Morrison and Lochlyn Aitken lead a sketch featuring audience participation before the expected finale. The Gang Show giraffe even puts in an appearance (despite being outshone by a camel).
Throughout, Jemma Crawford and Louise Williamson’s dance direction makes excellent use of the available talent, while Andrew Thomson and Fraser Hume’s musical direction shows the varied content to great advantage. Hume also conducts the massive and impeccably well-drilled band; there is a slight issue at first with the musicians drowning out the singers, but this soon settles down.
fills the largest of spaces
The video screens, with direction by Lee Murphy, are used to great effect, with the temptation to provide illustration of everything thankfully overcome.
One of the closing video messages states that the Gang Show will be back in its traditional home at the King’s next year, but there is no sense whatsoever that the show is lost in the expanse of the Festival Theatre. On the contrary, there is enough energy, talent and sheer joy here to fill the largest of spaces.
Running time: Two hours 20 minutes (including one interval)
Festival Theatre, 13-19 Nicolson St, EH8 9FT
Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 November 2025
Daily at 7.00 pm; Matinee Sat at 2.00 pm
Tickets and details: Book here.
Gang Show 2025. The Finale – These Are the Good Times. Pic: Andrew Perry.
ENDS
