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In 1967 when Scouting was going through it's 'night of the long knives' and 'all was to be made new'.The first edition of 'Venture Scouting', along with the 'new and exciting adult style uniform' was brutal in it's new attitude towards 'Gang Shows'."As soon as possible get away from the Gang Show style of entertainment,for whilst this can be great experience and youthful enthusiasm can be contagious and cover up expertise."(sic).After thirty years of Gang show there was no lack of expertise.The idea was that the all new 'Venture Scouts',vanguard of the new Movement within Scouting should tackle something of "greater depth"(p127).The term 'contagious' made it seem as if Gang Shows were a virus which had in some way caused Scouting to become 'infected'.For a highly creative,highly lucrative and highly enjoyable part of Scouting to be given such 'short shrift' was unforgivable.Reader made on secret of the fact that there were those in the 'Scouting Fraternity' who didn't like Him of His Shows.Gang Show entertainment had taken the place of earlier forms of Boy Scout Entertainment which were in many cases not very entertaining.Readers Gang shows were hughly popular,they made a lot of money for the Scouting Movement principally towards the cost of Baden Powell House. There are certain cultural phenomena developed in this Country that are unique and Gang Show Scripts are part of this important Group.At a time when a neglected Composer from the Fourteenth Century can be rediscovered why is it so difficult to rediscover one from twenty five years ago ? In 1976 the BBC made a two part documentary on Readers life and work.In the second of these two Programmes Reader speaks of the hurt he felt as his inspiration and creative brilliance was rubbished in a Public Forum by a member of the Scouting Movement.Each time a Gang Show is performed it becomes like 'Tinkerbell' in BP's favourate Play "Just Believe".Dr.Stu..
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