IN A tradition dating back to the 1950s, hundreds of Scouts and Guides are getting ready to take to the stage this spring.

The Oxfordshire Scout and Guide Gang Show will once again be taking place at the New Theatre in George Street in March, offering music, dancing and comedy.

And a special fundraising evening will be held on Saturday night to make sure this year’s production raises the roof and supports local charities.

Mike Stanley, 73, is the former chairman of Oxford Gang Show and still helps organise the event.

He said: “Rehearsals started in October and they are all excited about it.

“Last year we had about 5,000 people coming to see it. Hopefully we can get a few more people coming to it this year.”

More than 300 Scouts and Guides, aged between eight and 20, take part in the Gang Show.

Once again there will also be a charity evening at the Town Hall in St Aldate’s to raise money for the show itself and for the Oxfordshire Playbus scheme, which provides a mobile sensory room for severely disabled children.

Since first taking place in 1988 An Evening with the Oxfordshire Gang Show has so far raised £29,000 for local causes.

Gang Show director Paul Cox, who is also a Cub leader in Banbury, said: “We have got a great show this year.

“It’s going to be pretty exciting. We’ve got 30 new members of the cast and everyone will get a chance to shine.

“None of us are professional but we take it very seriously.

“This year we are doing an item on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

“What we try to do with the fundraising evening is make it more involved, so we do songs the audience can sing along to.”

Saturday’s Town Hall fundraiser starts at 7pm and tickets are available on the door or by phoning Kim Griffiths on 07800 821912 or current chairman Anthony Moore on 07958 528467.

The Gang Show itself will be running between Tuesday, March 13, and Saturday, March 17.

Oxford’s Lord Mayor Elise Benjamin has made the Wednesday performance her civic evening and has invited city councillors and mayors from across Oxfordshire to join her.

  • For tickets visit newtheatre.org.uk or call 0844 871 7627.