THE CURTAIN has gone up on this year’s St Albans Gang Show after more than four months of preparation and 150 hours of rehearsals.

Now in its 32nd year, the two-and-half-hour variety show brings together Scouts and Guides from across the St Albans district.

The entire allocation of tickets for the five performances at the Alban Arena which began Wednesday night and finish on Saturday, sold out within two hours of going on sale.

Around 125 Scouts and Guides are taking to the stage to perform over 35 different song and dance routines to the sell-out crowds. Over 120 people have volunteered to help with the backstage running of the show and are responsible for a wardrobe comprising more than 18,000 items for use in the show. Anita Lindeman, one of the volunteers with the St Albans Gang Show, explained what made it so special: “It’s a unique show and everyone who’s involved with it and watches it just has a wonderful time.”