AN amazing mixture of jazz, gospel, blues, military and contemporary music featuring a nine piece orchestra makes the award-winning musical Parade a production not to be missed at Cowley International College.

Set in 1913 Jason Robert-Brown’s plot revolves around the true story of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jew living in Georgia, who is put on trial for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory worker in his employment.

Already guilty in the eyes of everyone around him, a sensationalist publisher and a janitor's false testimony seal Leo's fate. His only defenders are a governor with a conscience and his Southern wife who finds the strength and love to become his greatest champion.

Cowley has a history of producing high quality musicals and in the past has raised the bar in St Helens by being the first college to produce shows such as Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon.

Cowley’s Head of Performing Arts, Shaun Chambers, said: “Parade is a great musical but one that may not be that well known. I would encourage anybody with an interest in musical theatre to come and see it. The music is eclectic encompassing jazz, military, gospel, blues and contemporary styles and the story is first rate.”

The show will be staged on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, February 26, 27 and 28 at 7.30pm and on Saturday, March 1 from 1.30pm at Cowley’s 11-16 site on Hard Lane.

Tickets cost £6 available by emailing shaun.chambers@sthelens.org.uk or ring 07798 647805.