Copthorne Scouts and Guides have been producing gang shows for over 50 years.

Gang shows were devised and initially produced by composer and song writer Ralph Reader as variety shows for the Scouts. His London gang show was held annually from 1932 to 1976 and became a showcase for Scouting. These shows were televised through the 50s and early 60s. They became internationally famous and Scouts from other cities throughout the world started producing their own shows which continue today.

The 1st Copthorne gang show in 1958 was produced with the assistance of one of Ralph Reader’s own gang show team.

In 2011 the Copthorne gang show was officially recognised by the National Scout Association as being of a standard that equalled our city counterparts and was awarded Gang Show Recognition which means we can use the gang show insignia introduced by Ralph Readers.

They started as modest shows held in the Copthorne village hall in the 1950s, where leaders recognised the benefits the young cast got, not only in the development of performing skills but in building self-confidence and the ability to work as a team.

In 1967 the first of the joint Scout & Guide Shows was performed. This was a pantomime: There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. It was performed in the village hall before the side rooms were built where about 70 cast members had to change in two small rooms behind the stage!

In 1991, by necessity of size and numbers, the show moved to the Hawth theatre in Crawley. From the Hawth we have produced bi-annual shows with the latest in 2023. The first Gang Show at the Hawth in Crawley was part of the Crawley Festival. The dress rehearsal was in the afternoon and then straight into the performance. Props had to be broken up as they came offstage to be put straight in the vans to be taken away.

The Copthorne Gang Show was awarded national Gang Show recognition in 2011 for its achievements and standards. With casts in the region of 200, many hundreds of Copthorne Scouts and Guides have performed in gang shows on the Hawth stage, a few have gone on to professional careers in theatre, but there are so many more who have fond memories of being part of the gang.

Somewhere during all this time the Baden Powell Players were formed, who then turned into the Copthorne Players, who are still going strong in the village.

For 2026 we are undertaking a new adventure, the Hawth has become too expensive so we are moving the show to the South of England Showground at Ardingly to keep the experience alive for our latest generation of young people.