Scout Gang Shows have existed for many years, from the original idea of Ralph Reader (whose shows were performed in London), to the provincial shows performed in towns and cities all over the country ( and the world!) today. Maidstone, situated in the county of Kent, between Dover and London, was one of the provincial towns which took Ralph Reader’s concept and staged its’ first show in 1939. The shows stopped at the outbreak of the Second World War and it was not until 1968, when 6 Scout Groups from the Maidstone District approached the then District Commissioner, who agreed that a trial show could be performed during the 1969 District AGM at Oakwood Park School, Maidstone. Maidstone Gang Show was reborn!  In 1970, Tony Palmer ( a former member of The London Gang) produced the first full Maidstone Gang Show. This was the first of many shows to be performed at Maidstone’s Hazlitt Theatre, and once again the show was a great success.