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Writer's pictureSarah

I Ran With The Gang - the story of the original Bay City Roller Alan Longmuir at The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane

Updated: Sep 29

Like many women of my age, I was a big Bay City Roller fan in the 1970s, and there is photographic evidence to that effect! When the invitation arrived to review 'I ran with the gang' I didn't have a moments hesitation about accepting.

Girl standing in front of fishing boats
Sometime in the early 70s with my tartan scarf

The show attracted some die-hard Rollers fans, some we chatted to had even met and become friends through the fan club, which was rather lovely. They'd come equipped with their tartan scarves (as had I) and fan clothing, determined to have a great evening. The evening we attended was also attended by Alan's wife and Les McKeown's wife and son.


We were introduced to the show with a reading from the last part of Alan's biography, his reflections on his time in the band. This set the scene for what was to follow.

Man dressed as a Bay City Roller sitting on a Chopper bike
Michael Karl-Lewis as Alan, on a coveted Chopper (I wanted one, but had a Halford's Chipper instead!)

Alan was played by Michael Karl-Lewis, with a smile on his face throughout the show, apart from the moment where the bands missing millions were mentioned. I would have liked this to have been explored more, it seemed rather glossed over. He took us from discovering music, holding down dead end jobs and forming bands through to stardom, and back again. Incredibly he'd returned to work as a plumber in Edinburgh when he left the Rollers for a couple of years, although he remained a Director of the band throughout.

Man in modern kilt and designer T shirt
Lee Fanning in his fabulous costume as the Narrator

At times Michael Karl-Lewis performed a monologue, at others he was joined by Lee Fanning as the Narrator/controlling manager and Ross Jamieson as a Roller/a young Les. Lee Fanning reminds me of a younger Robert Carlisle, his impressive previous performance as Sailor in 'Thief ' has us convinced that he's going to be a big star. His costume was stunning, Scottish with a twist, very Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Man dressed as Les from the Bay City Rollers
Ross Jamieson as the Roller and Young les

We were given a lot of facts about chart rankings etc. I'd have liked more of the interpersonal relationships between the band members to have been explored. We heard a little of how Alan and Woody had worked together to oust the controlling manager, but little of the dynamics between Les and the rest of the band.


We'd been encouraged to sing and dance if we wanted to, and the second part of the show presented that opportunity. The 3 actors then performed a medley of Rollers songs including the big hits of course; Summer Love Sensation, Bye Bye Baby, Shang-a-lang, All of Me Loves All of You, Remember (Sha-La-La), and the super fans duly got up and danced (I did too!). Ross had clearly studied Les's moves, he had the dancing down to a T.


This was a nostalgic evening, not only celebrating Alan's life, but also our teenage selves.


Cast: Lee Fanning, Michael Karl-Lewis, Ross Jamieson 

Where: The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane, London

When: 13-17 August, 2024


Production Information

Written and Directed Liam Rudden

Music Programmer/Arranger Erik Grieve

Musical Director Gavin Dickson

Costumes Shiela Behler-Nitz

Sound Design Erik Grieve and Gavin Dickson

Lighting design Richard Lambert

Company Stage Manager Sabina Smith

Video Production and Creative Associate Stephen Hunter

US Producer Kathy ‘Kat’ Conner

Produced by Stageworks East West Ltd


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