Seventy-six trombones lead the big parade

The head of music at the Grove School, Balderton, is putting his skills to good use as the musical director for Mansfield Amateur Operatic And Dramatic Society.

Paul O’Leary takes up the baton when the group present The Music Man at the Palace Theatre, Mansfield, from Tuesday (March 2) to a week tomorrow (March 6) at 7.15pm.

It tells the story of a travelling salesman called Professor Howard Hill and his visit to a small town in Iowa in 1912.

The conman convinces the townsfolk that unless they adopt his revolutionary music programme, the youngsters of River City will be doomed forever.

He sells them musical instruments and expensive uniforms, pretending that he will teach the youngsters to play them and form the River City Boys Band. His plan is thwarted when he becomes attracted to Marian Paroo, the local librarian, who immediately recognises him for the fraud he is.

His credentials are questioned and he is called upon to prove himself to the people of River City.

This American musical classic features the songs Trouble, Till There Was You and Seventy-Six Trombones.