TALENTED Scouts and Guides are preparing to celebrate the 60th birthday of Oxford’s Gang Show.

The Oxfordshire Scout and Guide Gang Show is staged every year at the New Theatre in George Street, offering a mix of music, dancing and comedy.

And more than 150 performers are getting ready to tread the boards from next Tuesday.

Director Paul Cox, 40, said: “It is all going brilliantly so far. We have been rehearsing since September and that time absolutely flies by.

“This year, we have a little nod to the 60th celebrations with a medley of songs from over the years.”

The show will feature children’s songs, a Rogers and Hammerstein tribute and dance numbers.

Performers aged eight to 71 have been rehearsing every week for six months.

Mr Cox said: “It is a huge commitment for the performers, but they are totally dedicated, especially when you consider they come from all over the county.

“And I hope this year will be something special.

“We are expecting around 6,500 people to come and watch the performances.”

Steph Phipps, 20, has been in the show for the past 13 years and will be singing a solo in this year’s event.

She said: “I enjoy all the singing and dancing and the fact you get to do it with your friends. It’s the social aspect of it that is the most fun.

“It was really nerve-wracking standing on the stage at first but you get used to it.”

Friend Nicola Fairgrieve, 18, said: “Being a part of this builds up your confidence in other aspects of your life too.

“I remember the 50th anniversary, so to be a part of another major milestone is brilliant.”

Offering wise words to the performers were Peter Slatter, 77, from Headington and David “Bunny” Bunce, 72, from Abingdon.

Mr Slatter was in the first show and Mr Bunce joined him on stage for the second.

Mr Slatter said: “It has changed a lot. When we started we only sang songs by Ralph Reeder, who started gang shows, but now they sing a lot of modern songs too.

“And we were an all-male choir back then too, so there weren’t any women singing with us. They joined in around 1967 or ’68.”

Mr Bunce added: “The gang show is a family. We have had marriages from people who met here, babies born and then those children joining the show in turn.

“In the 60 years, I’ve probably been involved with about 54 of them. It’s been a huge part of our lives.”

The Gang Show runs from March 8 to 12. For tickets, visit newtheatreoxford.org.uk or call 0844 8471588.