WHAT'S this? Grown men in nappies? A male bride? Geri Halliwell? Why it's the annual Ipswich Gang Show.After months of planning the all- singing, all-dancing Gang Show got off to a flying start at the Corn Exchange.

By Amanda Cresswell

WHAT'S this? Grown men in nappies? A male bride? Geri Halliwell? Why it's the annual Ipswich Gang Show.

After months of planning the all- singing, all-dancing Gang Show got off to a flying start at the Corn Exchange.

The opening night's performance in true tradition raised plenty of laughs as scouts, guides and their leaders

entertained the audience with an extravaganza of music and sketches.

There was a good mix of old and new with familiar songs from Who do You Think You are Kidding, Mr Hitler? to YMCA and S Club 7's Don't Stop Moving.

The audience clapped along to the music and wolf whistled at some of the costumes.

It was great entertainment for the whole family who had a treat in store, they even got the chance to see men in mini skirts singing former Spice girl Geri Halliwell's It's Raining Men.

The colourful production, which had a cast of more than 100, had the audience enthralled as they left the Corn Exchange humming some of the songs.

Along with hilarious sketches it commemorated the Jubilee Year, particularly in one sketch where

performers holding the British flag sang I Vow to Thee My Country.

Among the audience were former cast members, relatives and people of all ages who came along to enjoy a grand night's entertainment.

Brian Potter, 63, of Benacre Road, Ipswich, came to the show with his four-year-old grand-daughter Aisla Gordon.

He said: "I thought I would come along because it is a nice family show and my grand-daughter would like it."

Pat Webster, 68, of Ipswich, who watched the show with friend Frank West, who is in his 70s, said: "It is the first time I have ever been and thought it would be nice to come along because of the singing and because the children are performing."

Former cast member Matthew Smith, 23, of Ipswich, was also in the audience with his girlfriend Caroline Warren, 22, of Hasketon.

"I was in the show for about four years from when I was 16 to 18 years old," said Matthew.

"My family is also involved and I know some of the people in the show."

The show, which went down a treat with the audience, started on a serious note.

It began with a one-minute's silence in memory of the Queen Mother who died on Saturday.

The show is on at the Corn Exchange until April 6. The evening performance starts at 7.15pm with a Saturday performance for senior citizens at 2.15pm. For tickets contact the Corn Exchange box office on 01473 433100.