It’s always changed with the times while able to pick and rework older material and these days you can usually expect some stunning special effects to top off the show.

Throughout March a display featuring memorabilia from the show’s history – and mainly a bumper selection of photographs from the show in the 1970s and 1980s – is on show at Todmorden Tourist Information Centre, Burnley Road, Todmorden.

They are well worth a look and are bound to trigger off some memories for all who have taken part in the shows over the years, as it moved from church halls to the Hippodrome Theatre in Halifax Road, Todmorden, where the show has played each May ever since.

The black and white show pictures, featuring knock-‘em-dead musical routines from mid 70s and early 80s, will immediately take former cast members back to those winter Friday night rehearsals at Calder College or Ferney Lee School where Philip and his choreography lieutenants would drill the casts relentlessly until word, movement and dance were perfect by the time showtime approached.

There are also a number of backstage pics, including a classic of Philip in his bloomers prior to dressing as a pantomime dame, which also remind everyone of the huge amount of work put in by the backstage teams over the years.

Without them huge quantities of costumes would go unmade, props uncollected, programmes unsold and the stage itself unlit and sound unheard.

Colour rehearsal shots from more recent times feature the Gang preparing for the anniversary show alongside some modern day uniforms and the coveted red Gang Show neckerchiefs.

There are also several scrapbooks of photographs and clippings to add to posters and programme covers.

By the time each show comes together, every member of the cast from Jack McGoldrick – who began as a cub and has been in them all to date – to the youngest Gang members appearing in their first show, knows where and when they should be on stage, always giving it their best shot.

As one of the show closing songs goes “these are the times we shall dream about” so why not call in at Todmorden TIC, relive a wall full of memories and whet your appetite to go and see this special anniversary show?

l In the run up to the 2008 show, the Gang are hosting a birthday celebration ceilidh at Todmorden High School on April 26. For ticket details contact Rowena on 01706 810821.

• Last Updated: 06 March 2008 12:36 PM
• Source: Todmorden News
• Location: Todmorden

The design competition is now well-established and Lucy’s design will be featured on promotional material for this year’s show, which features members of the scout and guide movements in the upper Calder Valley and is staged at the Hippodrome Theatre, Halifax Road, Todmorden, from May 13 to 16 (7.30pm start, doors open at 7pm each evening).

Additionally everyone who entered the competition received a box of chocolates.

Now in its 51st year, the Gang have been working on this year’s show since January. It will mix some traditional set-pieces, such as the opening and closing segments of the show, sketches, dance and some colourful musical set-pieces which take in material from top shows such as Mamma Mia (based around the Abba songbook), Tribute To Buddy (on the 50th anniversary of the great rock and roller Buddy Holly’s tragic death) and Dreamcoat Mega-Mix, which has been specially arranged for the Gang by its new musical director Chris Sawer.

Tickets for the enjoyable night out for all the family are £7 (£5 concessionary rate) and they are now available from Todmorden Tourist Information Centre on 818181 or out of hours on 810821.