A SPARKLING performance has been promised for the diamond anniversary of the Oxford Gang Show.

Last night the curtain went up at the New Theatre for a week-long stretch of the popular variety show, which has run for six decades in the city.

About 6,500 people were expected to buy tickets for the event, which the show’s director Paul Cox has pledged will be one to remember.

Mr Cox, 40, said: “It is a bit nerve wracking being the director of the 60th show, but it has been great fun.

“The show is just as popular as it has ever been.

“There a few things that make reference to the show’s Diamond Anniversary and there will be a few numbers involving some of the older cast members.”

More than 150 performers aged eight to 71 have been getting ready to wow crowds since September.

Regulars at the Gang Show will have recognised a lot of familiar faces from over the years, especially in one of the show numbers, Strolling.

Joining the gang after years away were original cast members 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.

The Oxford Gang Show can be traced back to the late 1940s, when Ralph Symonds, a master at Magdalen College School, organised a show called Maudlin Madness.

When he became leader of the 40th Oxford Sea Scouts, he came up with the idea of producing a show involving Scouts from all over the district.

Shows were initially staged at the Clarendon Press Institute, in Walton Street, until 1957, when the Golden Jubilee of Scouting saw the shows move to the Oxford Playhouse, and subsequently the New Theatre.

This year’s show – featuring children’s songs, a Rogers and Hammerstein tribute and dance numbers – will run until Saturday.

For tickets call 0844 8471588.