“A Banger of a Show!”
**** 4 Stars
The sixty fourth annual Edinburgh Gang Show makes its fourth and final appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre this week with a new generation of the gang delivering a feast of variety entertainment, from comedy to ballet to big west end numbers the gang deliver a banger of a show as they bow out of the Festival Theatre in wonderful style.
Co-Directed by Andy Johnston and Louise Neal (with Johnston also writing the bulk of the material), Co Choregraphed by Louise Williamson and Jemma Crawford and Co Musically directed by Andrew Thomson and Fraser Hume (with Hume making his debut conducting the polished 12-piece gang show pit orchestra).
The Gang set there stall out early with a blistering opening section featuring the traditional Jamboree Overture and a stellar opening section title “The big Time” using the titular song from “Mack and Mabel” performed with gusto by Ellie Budd. This then flows into “Why do we do it” a section that expands on the self-belief that Gang Show is the best in Edinburgh and allows the gang to take pot shots at the local Edinburgh theatre companies to great comic effect. Variety is the name of game and director, and writer Johnston has now perfected the formula that shows the Gang off to their best advantage.
Act 1 was a little stilted on opening night, something which will tighten up naturally as the run beds in but Act 2 is when the show becomes a real four-star affair. Especially so in “Rolling” where Eliza Finlay displays remarkable vocal skill taking on Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” she has a vocal maturity that belies her years. “The Story of Tonight” brings raw emotion and pathos to the show as Rory Pickin, Molly Haddow, Ewan Arnold and Jessica Hicks perform the Ben Platt and Lin Manuel Miranda musical crossover mash up “Found Tonight” that blends Hamilton with Dear Evan Hansen. This is a spine-tingling moment that brings the 250 strong gang together and showcases the power the gang have too not only entertain but move their audiences.
The Choreographers also deliver a variety of dance styles from pop to jive and even Core Du Ballet and the dance ensemble shine every moment there on stage. Musically the show is on sound footing with conductor Fraser Hume keeping the 250 strong cast and 12 strong orchestra together with ease. Special mention must also go to Alan Hunter and his wardrobe team who deliver a plethora of costumes running into the 100’s that befit the beguiling variety theme with ease.
Production wise James Gow’s and Andy Johnston’s lighting design delivers in spades from a riot of colour to 70’s disco chutzpah and even intimate moments that capture the eye. This is boosted by Lee Murphy’s inspired video design. Sadly, there were major issues with sound on opening night that blighted most of the show with popping a plenty and some vocals rendered inaudible there was also some balance issues. The Gang show does have a tight window in which to achieve there get in and technically set up the show but its clear that serious work on sound is needed to give the Gang the sound design they deserve.
The finale of the 2025 show is a loving farewell to the Festival Theatre but also an emotionally driven moment as the gang announces there going home for the 2026 show following the renovation of the Edinburgh King’s Theatre. It made all the more potent in that the cast of the 2026 show will have never performed in the company’s traditional home. As the curtain fell its clear that the Gang are going to continue to reinvent themselves while embracing their lineage long may they do so as they continue to roll along on a crest of a wave delivering the biggest and best variety show in the capital.
Edinburgh Gang Show 2025, Festival Theatre, Runs until Saturday 8th November for tickets go to: Edinburgh Gang Show 2025 – Capital Theatres
ScotsGay Arts 