Welcome to Southend Scout and Guide Gang Show's monthly feature 'Catching up with'. Here we will catch up with cast past and present as well as the adult volunteers who make It's a Date and SHINDIGS possible. 

This month we talk with Technical Director, James Howell.

1. Introduce yourself and tell us what your role within Southend Gang Show is?
   
   Hi, my name is James Howell and I am Technical Director for Southend Gang Show. The role means that my team and I are responsible for the show from a scenery and technical perspective. My role requires me to work with the Artistic Director and the Production team to understand what they want an item to look and sound like, then turn that into what is seen on stage. This involves designing and building set, hiring technical equipment and planning all the different things that should happen during the run of the show. At the theatre, I am responsible for the smooth running of the show, ensuring there are no long periods of black and silence as well as making quick decisions if things go wrong. The hardest part of my job is getting the crew out of the tea room for the start of the show!  

2. When was your first Southend Gang Show and how many shows have you now been a part of?
   
   My first show was in 1988 as a cub. At that time, the show was performed at the Cliffs Pavilion and so it was very daunting to have such a big stage and audience to perform to. I have been involved in every show since then, both onstage and offstage and I can confirm my talent is best suited to offstage.

3. Best moment being a part of Southend Gang Show?
   
   I have so many happy memories through Southend Gang Show it has been part of my life ever since I can remember. Before my involvement my Dad used to co-produce the show with Jacky and so I was always attending rehearsals as a child. I also met Emma my wife, who was part of the cast. My favourite parts included:

• Introducing the entire cast as they came out of a small tent on stage (Through a trap door in the cliffs pavilion stage)
• Playing Mr Blobby in Super Hero’s
• Working a giant lobster puppet with Del Hales in the under the sea UV number.
   

4. What do you get out of being a part of Southend Gang Show and why do you think people should get involved in SHINDIGS 2017?
   
   The reason I remain involved with the show is I like to introduce people to the theatre with the most professional show we can deliver. The thrill, nervousness and excitement that comes from being behind the house curtain waiting to start the show. Hearing the audience on the other side, the lights go out and the band start. As a result, it really helps people to come out of themselves and build their confidence. In my role, I watch and follow every single, word, action and note during the week of the show and watching the transformation of the casts confidence from the opening night to the final performance finale is very moving. 

5. Favourite Southend Gang Show item?
   
   If I Were Not Upon The Stage, closely followed by Hands and From a Distance

6. What have you been up to in the past few months since It’s a Date 2016?
   
   My other role in Scouting is Director of Programme for Essex Jamboree. 2016 was a very busy year for me as after 3 years of planning it was time to deliver EIJ 2016. It was a huge amount of hard work from a lot of people, many of whom are involved in Southend Gang Show. It was an excellent week and really showed off the best of Scouting and Guiding in Essex. Southend Gang Show showed that with their exceptional performance outside in the rain, a true testament to the spirit and nature of the Gang.

7. What are you most looking forward to about the next SHINDIGS/It’s a Date?
   
   Seeing how the cast has developed and grown since the last show. So many have been involved since they were young children and are now developing into Young Adults it is great to see how their experiences in the show have helped with that journey. In addition, Mary, Alison and team make a great cup of tea!