THE boys and girls will be back in town from tomorrow night for Oxford’s 58th annual Gang Show.

The all-singing, all-dancing spectacular will be held at the New Theatre, in George Street, from Tuesday to Saturday this week.

It rounds off with a matinee and evening performance on Saturday and, so far, more than 4,000 tickets have been sold.

For more than six months, 250 Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies from across the county have been perfecting their performances in preparation for tonight’s curtain-raiser.

But the show is the culmination of a whole year’s work for Gang Show director Kim Griffiths.

She said: “The planning takes all year. We have a quick two-week break and then straight back in to the planning for the next one.

“It’s definitely all worth it though.”

The cast has now put the finishing touches to this year’s two-hour show, held the final dress rehearsal and is all set to amaze the audiences.

This year the junior gang performance will be based on the theme of a day out at the seaside, with the young performers in 1920s’ outfits dancing in front of beach huts.

The senior gang will then perform several skits, including old favourite Right Said Fred, one about dreams, a sketch featuring pirates, an ‘At the Museum’ piece and an Arabian Nights tribute. There will also be a tribute to the show’s founder Ralph Reader, who created the country’s first Gang Show in London in 1932.

The show has become a firm favourite in Oxford since it was first held in the city in 1951.

Paul Stokes, from Witney, who will be helping out behind the scenes this year with his wife Sally, used to perform in the show during the 1980s.

He said: “I used to be on the stage but I don’t have as much time to actually be in the show now.

“It’s been a real family affair this year. My wife and I have been helping behind the scenes and our daughter, Hannah, is one of the dancers.

“Everyone is very excited and very much looking forward to it.”

Anne Brock, from Caversfield, is returning to the show after having a few years off to have a baby.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.

“I’m quite nervous because I‘ve got a solo, but I know this year’s show is going to be great.”

Tuesday-Friday shows start at 7.15pm, while Saturday’s performances are at 2pm and 7pm.

Tickets can be bought directly from the theatre box office in George Street, or from the show’s website oxfordgangshow.co.uk awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk