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 Southend Gang Show Business Manager, Mark Jackson

1. Introduce yourself and tell us what your role within Southend Gang Show is?

Hi, my name is Mark Jackson and I am the Business Manager for the show, working closely with James Jackson -  Marketing Manager and Tim Browne - Show Manger on the promotion of the show. My main priority is to secure the venue for the show (already booked for the Palace Theatre in 2018!), work up the business plan and generally getting ‘bums on seats’.  I also run the Advanced Booking Office and sell tickets during rehearsals.

2. When was your first Southend Gang Show and how many shows have you now been a part of?
 

The Gang Show has been a big part of my life and I have now been involved with 15 shows (not wishing to show my age)!  I seem to remember my first show was at the Cliff’s Pavilion, those heady days when we could fill the Theatre with all those ‘bums on seats’.
 

3. Best moment being a part of Southend Gang Show?
 

Seeing a sign outside the Palace Theatre saying ‘Theatre Full’ and feeling proud that the Gang would be performing to a ‘full house’.
 

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?
 

Seeing the Gang develop from the first and apprehensive rehearsal to a totally confident and professional team on the stage.  With my Business Manager hat on, seeing as many bums on seats as is possible throughout the show week.  SHINDIGS is the perfect introduction to the Gang Show and the take up for 2017 shows what a great day this will be.

5. Favourite Southend Gang Show item?
 

It’s a close call between the ‘Red Hoovers’ first seen in the 2004 show, Guards which I think was first seen in 1996 and The Projectionist – how do the Gang remember their words.  My vote has to go to the Projectionist in the 2016 Show led by Dan Wanna.

6. What have you been up to in the past few months since It’s a Date 2016?
 

Booking the Palace Theatre for the 2018 show and taking a break from the Advanced Booking Office!  Thinking how we can get more bums on seats for the next show.

7. What are you most looking forward to about the next SHINDIGS/It’s a Date?
 

Seeing the faces and smiles of the Gang at the end of the Show saying ‘we made it’ and how proud the audience will be. As an aside the thing I am most not looking forward to is the smell in my car when collecting 100+ fish and chips for tea!