One of the previous acts from the Korimul Gang Show. Photos: Supplied.
Illawarra’s beloved Korimul Gang Show is turning 50, and to celebrate it’s bringing back its greatest hits — from slapstick skits to toe-tapping tunes — in a nostalgic variety showcase starring generations of Scouts and Guides.
What began in 1975 with Scout master Brian Gillett’s vision has grown into a heartwarming, family-filled performance that’s been entertaining Illawarra audiences for five decades.
Show admin director John Penney said it had become a generational event, with children, parents and grandparents from the one family often having participated at some point.
“Brian was involved in gang shows in England, in Corby,” John said.
“When they came to Wollongong in 1973, the Scout district commissioner asked Brian to be a Scout master and, because he’d had experience in gang shows before, he wanted to get a gang show produced in Wollongong.
“That’s how it all started.
“So 1975 was our first one and we’ve held it every two to three years since.”
A two-hour variety show put on by Scouts and Guides leaders and youth members, it involves song and dance routines, and comedy sketches.
However, the show is more than just a performance – it’s a platform for youth development.
John said it was originally developed as part of Scouts training due to amateur theatre believed to provide young people with self-reliance, teamwork and self-esteem.
“You can see that with some of the kids, where they come in really quiet and timid, and then you get them on that stage and they’re doing everything,” he said.
“Being every two years, we essentially start working on it straight away after the last show is finished.
“We have a script writing team of youth members who we assist in organising the program, what we’re going to do and what songs we’re doing.”
He said it was those tasks that gave them the skills they could then carry through into their life.
“This year will be different because this year is the ‘best of’, so there’ll be numbers from different decades within the show,” he said.
“Plus, we’re bringing back some of the old, retired gang show members to do certain things in the numbers that they were in back in the day.”
John said looking back through the catalogue of items they had done over the 50 years, there were certain skits they could no longer perform.
“As society has changed, there’s things you just can’t do now,” he said.
“The youth members certainly have had an influence on some of the stuff we do, especially with the music and songs.
“There’s one song we do every time … and we’ve done that a capella, we’ve done it in rap, we’ve done it in full song.
“We change it around a little bit each time.”
He said participants had ranged from nine to 85 years old, with some families traveling from as far as the Shoalhaven to be part of the cherished event.
However, with Scouts and Guides being non-profit organisations, to ensure it continued, they were now seeking sponsors.
“Obviously, being a Scout show, we run on a shoestring budget and iPAC costs us a little bit of money, but it’s well worth it to get the professional experience for the kids,” he said.
Rehearsals start 27 April and tickets for the show will go on sale through the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre mid June, with four shows from 11 to 13 September.
Learn more about the show or how to become a sponsor through the Korimul Gang Show website.
