Show takes inspiration from World Book Day, with fun, songs and sketches

It may have been a cold and drizzly night, but inside Aberdeen Arts Centre things were Hot, Hot, Hot! on opening night of the Scout Gang Show.

From curtain up to close, the energy was palpable among this talented ensemble of more than 50 people who approached every note and step with gusto.

Goodness knows what notes director Sonja Rasmussen gave the cast in the months of rehearsal, but on the night, everyone from the youngest cub to the seasoned leader committed fully to every moment of their performance.

This was especially evident during the large crowd scenes, when even those people five rows back remained animated and focused while keeping a connection with the audience.

At one point the full cast played a press pack of journalists, and every character seemed to have thought of something different to do.

Some were clicking cameras, some scribbling in their notebooks, others holding out a microphone or raising their pens aloft to ask a question.

This studied attention to detail along with beautiful, wellmade costumes as well as an interesting stage set combined to deliver a rich and immersive spectacle.

A professional and polished production, this year’s Aberdeen Gang Show featured a large screen as a backdrop, which changed continually according to the scene.

The result was effective and evocative as the audience was taken on a journey to places including New York, Hogwarts, an aeroplane cabin, a beauty salon, a kitchen and a coffee shop.

A newsroom and television news studio also featured as you might expect from a show entitled Read All About It!

Particularly amusing was the weather report given in Doric.

“You winna see Dyce fer ice and in Strichen you can’t see where you’re gahn”, was the weather lady’s advice.

The theme explored the world of reading and tied in with this year’s chosen charity, Books Abroad, which helps educate children worldwide by sending free school books.

The music ranged from songs by The Beatles and Emeli Sande, to musicals, 80s pop, the movies, Elvis and much-loved chart hits.

If you imagine taking a stonking playlist, then adding in a host of colourful characters while they sing, dance and tell jokes, that’s this year’s gang show.

Special musical moments included There’s A Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis; Breakfast at Tiffany’s to acoustic guitar, and an excellent rendition of You’ll Be Back from the musical Hamilton.

The top-notch house band, consisting of drums, piano and keyboard sounded like an orchestra 10 times the size.

The cast also played some instruments, including guitar, and the bagpipes for a particularly rousing Scottish segment.

All in all the Aberdeen Gang Show is a blast and if anyone is looking for a way to shake off the last of these drizzly, dark evenings, this is it.

Well-worked songs and sketches.