Author: Nick Wood

Our show was mentioned in the news on Hitmix Radio.

 

Castle Capers is back, and this year Newcastle’s very own Scout Gang Show is celebrating a very special anniversary. It’s forty years since the variety performance, which brings together young people and leaders from across the district, was awarded “red necker status”.

Newcastle District Commissioner Vera Bloor says “not every Scout show, can call itself a Gang Show. A production needs to be regularly assessed by the Scout Association, to ensure that it meets the required standard, and only then does the cast earn the right to wear the prestigious red neckerchief during the performance. The fact that Castle Capers has been able to call itself a Gang Show for forty years is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the show over the last four decades”

Castle Capers was first assessed in 1980 by Ralph Reader, who staged the UK’s very first Gang Show in 1932. To mark the occasion the team behind this year’s show is trying to track down members of the original cast.

Producer Heather Locker says “I’m so excited about this year’s show, rehearsals are going really well, and it would be amazing if we could get members of the original gang back together, to share their memories with us along with any photos they might have. We’re hoping they’ll come along to one of the performances too, as we’ve got some really talented young people in the cast, I can’t wait for everyone to see what they can do”.

This year’s performance takes places at the Mitchell Arts Centre in Hanley from 15th-18th April. Amongst those returning to the cast this year is Cub Scout Leader Barbara Davies affectionately known as “Aunty Barb”. She’s been part of the show since the very beginning and remembers being awarded the red necker for the first time.

Barbara says “the content of the show hasn’t really changed, you still have the singing, the dancing, and the sketches. It’s a lot more contemporary now, but for me there’s nothing like a group of volunteers coming together and putting on a show. It’s not all about what you put in, it’s also about what you get back, and I’ve made some fantastic friends over the last forty years.”

We’re asking original members of the 1980 cast to get in touch by emailing 1980cast@castlecapersgs.co.uk

Tickets for the show are now available. Please choose below to order.

Tickets cost between £7.50 & £12.00.

The show is on nightly at the Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley, from Wednesday 15th April – Saturday 18th April 2020, with a matinee on Saturday 18th April.

Rehearsals for 2020’s show commence as follows (up until Friday 10th April):
Sunday 5th January @ St Wulstans Community Centre, Church Lane, ST5 0EF:
Beavers – 13.30 – 14.30
Cubs – 13.30 – 15.30
Main Cast – 14.30 – 17.30 (Scouts, Explorers, Network, Leaders, ASU)

Friday 10th January @ St Andrews Church Hall, 40 Pilkington Avenue, ST5 3RE:
Main Cast – 19.00 – 21.00 (Scouts, Explorers, Network, Leaders, ASU)

Castle Capers Show Week:
15-18th April 2020 @ 19.15 (Saturday Matinee show 14.15).

Tickets will be available early 2020.

The time for the pre Christmas show get togethers is coming! If you are a Scout, Explorer or Leader come along and see us on the following dates –

GET TOGETHER 1 –  Sunday 17th November 14.00 – 17.00

GET TOGETHER 2 – Friday 29th November 19:00 – 21:00

Both will be held at St. Andrews Church, 40 Pilkington Avenue, Newcastle, ST5 3RE

Come along and find out what it’s all about!

Our friends in Potteries North District are putting on their Gang Show, Burdi Boys, in November.
Please go along and support their great show!

You can buy tickets here.

The District Executive has ratified the appointment of Jay Auckland as Director of Castle Capers 2020, of Steve Broadhurst as the show’s Chairman and of Gavin Eardley as the show’s Treasurer and Business Manager. We are now tasked with the job of putting the various show teams, necessary for a successful activity, together.

While it is essential that the show builds on the expertise of the past, it is equally essential it gives EVERYBODY in the District the opportunity to volunteer their services. It is impossible to know what amazing skills, past experiences or what willingness to learn is “out there” that would benefit Castle Capers – So, all we can do is ask!! The show needs to fill all manner of roles – from producers to ushers; on stage, front of house and back stage.

If you would like to be a part of Castle Capers 2020 – part of the production, management, business teams especially – LET US KNOW.

If you have a specific skill, experience or contact that you think might be useful to the show – LET US KNOW.

If you would like to “just help” and don’t quite know how you could be of use – LET US KNOW.

Even if you’ve been a part of the team for ages – let us know you still want to be part of the 2020 team.

After a really successful show in 2018 (in terms of being a successful Scout activity, a thoroughly entertaining evening, being financially sound and excellent public relations for Newcastle Scouting) we all look forward to an even more successful show in 2020 ……. and the planning has already started.

Please reply, with a note of how you feel you might want to help, by visiting our contact page by January 19th.

Take a trip back to the show of 2016 and see the photos via our Photos page.

You can also see some of 2016’s rehearsals and photos from the 2014 show as well.

The photos from the 2018 show will be online soon!

Well, unfortunately that’s it for Castle Capers 2018.
What a whirlwind 4 months, what an excellent show week!
A huge thanks has to go to everyone involved, but especially to those Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders who entertained us on stage for 6 shows. “You made us proud”.

Although the 2018 show has come to an end, keep your eyes open for information about Castle Capers 2020.

Our show features in tonight’s (Friday 6th April) Sentinel on p18. Unfortunately, it does not appear to be online yet, but you can read it below!

Castle Capers Gang show is proudly supported by Staffordshire County Councils Community Fund. Thanks go to Councillors Simon Tagg, Stephen Sweeney, Dave Jones, Kyle Robinson, Trevor Johnson and Paul Northcote for their generous support for our show and the young people of our Borough.