SCOUTS!
Hope Mill Theatre
★★★½
“will warm your heart and bring a genuine smile of delight”
Enter the high-stakes, competitive, life-affirming world of scouting, where we join the competitors preparing for the final of ‘The Scout Games’. The winning of the only ‘gold badge’ (hand stitched by Baden-Powell) is the goal of both the scouts on stage and the audience members (scouts and leaders themselves at this performance) who are game enough to join in a range of hilarious tasks. However, there is a saboteur at large, a disillusioned and ‘poor loser’ Scout from a previous ‘games’, intent on causing mayhem and discrediting the very core reputation of the organisation. Through many trials and catchy numbers too, good triumphs over evil, the power of true friendship wins through and we all learn what is important in life and in the scouting movement: to help other people, make friends and learn new skills.
Gigglemug Theatre worked closely with the Scout Association and has tried here to capture the essence of scouting, from the gaining of social and life skills amongst children who might otherwise feel ‘outsiders’, to the chaotic world of camping, competing for badges (real and, here, imagined, such as the ‘hypnosis’ badge) and learning how to win and lose gracefully.
Sam Cochrane (director) made some memorable decisions (the gold dust sprinkled gold badge, for one). Katie Pritchard as Rosie brought great physicality and comedic timing to her role, with superb vocals from both Eleanor Fransch as Eliza and Emily Kitchingham as Charlotte. Burhan Kathawala charmed as the somewhat vulnerable but ultimately brave Joe. Kemi Clarke led the pace and energetically portrayed scout leader Dylan. Rob Gathercole (also musical director / keyboards) was in his element playing the over-the-top and improbably talented (being skilled in many areas including healing missing limbs) Linus Lionheart, the TV personality and former scout who was the role model for the competing scouts. The cast all played multiple instruments and were on stage almost the whole time. At times, the number of instruments and changes was a distraction to following the narrative and I would have preferred to listen to the vocalist perform without a guitar, for example. However, this does not take away from the recognition of the multiple skill sets required for this audience-engaging performance, with the pace only struggling a little in the second act.
The musical numbers feature an enjoyable range of genres, from 1950s style rock and roll, to rap and pop. Definitely not ‘found a peanut’ singalongs, the music is carefully crafted by David Fallon (music and lyrics) and Sam Cochrane (book, lyrics and direction) with solos, duets, and ensemble multi-part numbers being used to advance the plot and characters as well as to introduce many favourite themes loved by scouts, such as the ‘scout law’. Indeed, the lyrics were so full of information that I did spend some time trying to catch each word and wondering if I needed to remember the facts being dropped in. Perhaps the relative complexity of some of the music and plot was a mismatch for the younger members of the audience, but ‘The Trance Dance’, ‘Bad Badge’ and ‘Home’ were particular favourites.
The set (three drop down banners) was cleverly simple and effective for this touring production, which was needed when the stage is so full of musical instruments – I counted eleven plus a kazoo! Using three ‘tree stumps’ for the awards also gave an interesting stage height difference when needed.
Gigglemug Theatre’s touring production of their latest feelgood musical theatre show, is a fun exploration of the core positive messages of scouting, which will warm your heart and bring a genuine smile of delight, whilst enjoying the frolics of this energetic cast of actor-musicians.
SCOUTS!
Hope Mill Theatre the UK Tour continues
Reviewed on 14th June 2025
by Lucy Williams
Photography by Benkin Photography
Previously reviewed by Lucy:
SLAVE: A QUESTION OF FREEDOM | ★★★★ | THE LOWRY | October 2024
WAR HORSE | ★★★★★ | THE LOWRY | September 2024
EDWARD’S TALK: WHAT’S DRIVING YOU? | ★★★ | EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE | August 2024
GODFATHER DEATH: A GRIMMS’ MUSICAL | ★★★★★ | EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE | August 2024
