Birkenhead Gang Show


	Birkenhead Gang Show - A History Birkenhead Gang show started after several successful 23rd Birkenhead Group shows at the Birkenhead Institute. Don Coughtrie produced the first Birkenhead Gang Show in 1961 and it was staged at the Assembly Hall of the Birkenhead Technical College with a cast of 98. Our next show in 1963 saw a change of venue. We moved to the Plaza Cinema in Borough Road a few hundred yards along from the Technical College . After the saturday night film had finished, the screen was carefully removed and the stage prepared for a Monday night opening.What a challenge ! In 1965 "Mr. Gang Show" himself, Ralph Reader, made his first visit to Birkenhead . 1967 saw Birkenhead Gang Show obtaining National Approval and being allowed to wear the coveted "Red Scarf" which we are still allowed to wear to this day, being re-assessed in 2001 at the Pacific Road Theatre and again receiving approval. In 1968 the show went on tour to the Isle of Man after an invitation from the Isle of Man Scout Association. The show was performed for 4 nights at the Gaiety Theatre in Douglas . What an effort it was to get 112 cast, 80 back-stage crew, and tons of costumes and sets across a stormy sea on Thursday, 28th December. Then, after arriving, we had 24 hours to get the stage ready for dress rehearsal the next afternoon, followed by the first performance. All went well and New Year was celebrated on the island. "Never again", we said !!! 1969 and 1971 saw another change of venue to the Gladstone Theatre at Port Sunlight. 1973 saw the show move back to the Technical College in Borough Road in Birkenhead . This was to become our home for over 20 years. 1981 was a special year as Ralph Reader, CBE honoured us with a second visit. After illness, Don Coughtrie retired as Producer of the show. In 1982, tragically, after further illness, Don, who had become known nationally as "Mr. Birkenhead Gang Show" , died. Ironically, he "passed on" during the same year that Ralph died. They will never be forgotten !! 1983 saw Graham Lennox, who had been Assistant Producer for several years, take over as Producer, having been taught by the "best". Graham had been with show since it's beginning having been a young "non grey-haired" member of the 1961 cast. In 1985 the show was in the same venue, but with a new name, The " Glenda Jackson Theatre ", named after the famous actress Glenda Jackson. The Hall was fitted out as a proper theatre and became affectionately known as the "Glenda" 1987 was the year of our "Silver Jubilee" show, celebrating 25 years of Birkenhead Gang Shows. Many "old gangsters" visited us during the week of the show. 1994 saw the show go "on tour" again. During December, the " Gang Show Road show", visited over 20 Nursing Homes, Retirement Homes, Children's Clubs and Old Folk's Clubs on the Wirral. By popular demand the Road Show was successfully repeated in 1996. We literally performed in the fireplace at a few of the venues. The sound and lighting was operated from under a table in the corner at several venues. In 1999, sadly for us, The Glenda Jackson Theatre closed and, after over 20 years, we needed a change of venue. Luckily, the town's old tram museum was being converted in to a multi-purpose entertainment centre, and we became the first performer's ever at the "Wheelhouse", now known as the "Pacific Road Theatre. The theatre was still being completed one hour before our first performance and there was literally "wet paint" everywhere !! 2001 saw a new millennium and another show, our 21st "Coming of Age show". 40 years and still going strong !!!! In 2002, this year a very special show was put on by us at the prestigious Liverpool Empire. A show for one night only which was a great success, playing to a near capacity audience of some 1,900 + people. It celebrated the past years of our show and showed a wider audience just what a Gang Show is all about. 2003 saw us back at what was to be one of the best shows we have done in the last 10 years. 2005 saw another change of venue, a return to our old home in 1969 and 1971, the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight. We welcomed our friends from Bebington District to join the cast. The show was a great one, in the newly refurbished Theatre. We are now looking forward to Gang Show 2007 with great enthusiasm.

Birkenhead Gang Show - A History

Birkenhead Gang show started after several successful 23rd Birkenhead Group shows at the Birkenhead Institute.

Don Coughtrie produced the first Birkenhead Gang Show in 1961 and it was staged at the Assembly Hall of the Birkenhead Technical College with a cast of 98.

Our next show in 1963 saw a change of venue. We moved to the Plaza Cinema in Borough Road a few hundred yards along from the Technical College . After the saturday night film had finished, the screen was carefully removed and the stage prepared for a Monday night opening.What a challenge !

In 1965 "Mr. Gang Show" himself, Ralph Reader, made his first visit to Birkenhead .

1967 saw Birkenhead Gang Show obtaining National Approval and being allowed to wear the coveted "Red Scarf" which we are still allowed to wear to this day, being re-assessed in 2001 at the Pacific Road Theatre and again receiving approval.

In 1968 the show went on tour to the Isle of Man after an invitation from the Isle of Man Scout Association. The show was performed for 4 nights at the Gaiety Theatre in Douglas . What an effort it was to get 112 cast, 80 back-stage crew, and tons of costumes and sets across a stormy sea on Thursday, 28th December. Then, after arriving, we had 24 hours to get the stage ready for dress rehearsal the next afternoon, followed by the first performance. All went well and New Year was celebrated on the island. "Never again", we said !!!

1969 and 1971 saw another change of venue to the Gladstone Theatre at Port Sunlight.

1973 saw the show move back to the Technical College in Borough Road in Birkenhead . This was to become our home for over 20 years.

1981 was a special year as Ralph Reader, CBE honoured us with a second visit. After illness, Don Coughtrie retired as Producer of the show.

In 1982, tragically, after further illness, Don, who had become known nationally as "Mr. Birkenhead Gang Show" , died. Ironically, he "passed on" during the same year that Ralph died. They will never be forgotten !!

1983 saw Graham Lennox, who had been Assistant Producer for several years, take over as Producer, having been taught by the "best". Graham had been with show since it's beginning having been a young "non grey-haired" member of the 1961 cast.

In 1985 the show was in the same venue, but with a new name, The " Glenda Jackson Theatre ", named after the famous actress Glenda Jackson. The Hall was fitted out as a proper theatre and became affectionately known as the "Glenda"

1987 was the year of our "Silver Jubilee" show, celebrating 25 years of Birkenhead Gang Shows. Many "old gangsters" visited us during the week of the show.

1994 saw the show go "on tour" again. During December, the " Gang Show Road show", visited over 20 Nursing Homes, Retirement Homes, Children's Clubs and Old Folk's Clubs on the Wirral. By popular demand the Road Show was successfully repeated in 1996. We literally performed in the fireplace at a few of the venues. The sound and lighting was operated from under a table in the corner at several venues.

In 1999, sadly for us, The Glenda Jackson Theatre closed and, after over 20 years, we needed a change of venue. Luckily, the town's old tram museum was being converted in to a multi-purpose entertainment centre, and we became the first performer's ever at the "Wheelhouse", now known as the "Pacific Road Theatre. The theatre was still being completed one hour before our first performance and there was literally "wet paint" everywhere !!

2001 saw a new millennium and another show, our 21st "Coming of Age show". 40 years and still going strong !!!!

In 2002, this year a very special show was put on by us at the prestigious Liverpool Empire. A show for one night only which was a great success, playing to a near capacity audience of some 1,900 + people. It celebrated the past years of our show and showed a wider audience just what a Gang Show is all about.

2003 saw us back at what was to be one of the best shows we have done in the last 10 years.

2005 saw another change of venue, a return to our old home in 1969 and 1971, the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight. We welcomed our friends from Bebington District to join the cast. The show was a great one, in the newly refurbished Theatre. We are now looking forward to Gang Show 2007 with great enthusiasm.