Flying High Show History

Derby East Gang Show - Flying High

A brief history of the show

The first Flying High took place in 1968 and made history in as much that it was one of the very first Scout shows to include girls. There had been other Gang Shows in the Derby area previously, namely 'Slipstream' and 'Meet the Gang', but these followed the style of the London Gang Shows produced by Ralph Reader where only Scouts took part.

The words Gang Show were not used at the time because the show didn't follow the official traditional style of Ralph Reader's shows, which didn't include girls.

Flying High '68, the 'Spondon & District Guide & Scout Revue' took place at Spondon Park Grammar School on a shoestring budget. The show was devised and produced by John Hughes, who had been a cast member of both the former Derby Gang Shows. John continued to produce Flying High until 1992 together with assistance from his wife Mary. This first show was a success and John decided to produce another one two years later.

Flying High '70 took place, this time at Spondon House School, which had a better stage. The show was successful because the cast consisted of both Scouting and Guiding members, from Cubs and Brownies up to adult leaders.

In 1976, Flying High was officially made a Scout District and Guide Division show,and so members of the cast came from a wider area within the Derby East Scout District andGuide Division.

In the 1982 show the word 'Revue' was discontinued and the words 'Gang Show' were used for the first time as the producer was fairly confident that Flying High was of a sufficient standard to become a recognised Gang Show. The show was assessed by a London Gang Show assessor and Flying High was granted official recognition and the right for it'smembers to wear the official red Gang Show neckerchief with it's embroidered Derby East GS motif.

In 1990, Flying High moved to Derby Playhouse, a proper theatre!The show had outgrown itself in the school hall; tickets for the show could have been sold twice over. It was a gamble, which paid off, as the general public now had the opportunity to see a Gang Show as well as parents and friends. Flying High '90 was a success at Derby Playhouse and continued to be so until 2002.

Flying High has been produced every two years up to the present day, John Hughes handing over the production to Jean Roulinson, for the 1994 show. In 1998, the show celebrated its 30th Anniversary and special items were presented that year from past shows. Although John continued to support Flying High Gang Show, which became a Company in the year 2000, we were sorry to lose Mary's support as she passed away in July 2001.

Flying High 2002 saw the end of our shows at Derby Playhouse, the venue for Flying High 2004 was the Derby Assembly Rooms and with that proving sucessful the show continued there every two years until 2008. Flying High 2010 saw a return to the Playhouse under it's new 'Derby Theatre' ownership.

Flying High 2018 celebrated 50 years of Flying High since John Hughes started it back in 1968. Sadly John passed away in September 2016.

Ruth Mill took over as producer for the 2018 show onwards whilst Jean continued support as assistant producer.