THE 2010 Taunton Gang Show opened last night and they delivered a first rate performance for the first night of their 21st year at The Brewhouse Theatre.

Produced and directed by Dave Mullen, the show flowed with well-practised ease as the older and many new younger members gave it their all.

With a spring in their steps and a smile on their faces the younger members launched into their first song ‘Let it Shine’ which set the tone for the night.

This led into a full medley of songs based on the theme of sweets entitled ‘Candy Time,’ with a particularly enthusiastic rendition of the bouncy sixties song ‘Lollipop’.

This first half also included the comedy sketch ‘Milkmaids,’ where five jolly members decked in traditional mop caps described their difficulties of trying to milk cows properly through some rib-tickling verses, made funnier by the large cardboard cut-out rows of cows lining the stage.

For ‘The King of Pop’ sequence the whole group got into their disco-beat stride as they paid tribute to Michael Jackson and they did the man proud in their rhythmic interpretation of ‘Thriller,’ and the foot-tapping ‘Billy Jean.’ Interwoven into this year’s event was the group’s skilled use of choral harmony and combined melody, noticeable in both the hippy-based ‘Woodstock’ set and in ‘A little spot of Gospel.’ With their perfectly timed dance steps and unflagging energy, the whole Gang were yet again ‘Riding the Crest of a Wave.’ The show runs through to Saturday – tickets are available from the box office on 01823-283244.

Review by Judy Norrish.