Recently discharged from the Army, Rob Parker, clarinettist and saxophonist, arrives at a northern variety theatre to be auditioned for the post of First Reed. It is 1949, men are returning from military service, and there are more musicians than there are jobs, but he is fortunate enough to be hired.

He receives the barest introduction to the job from the surly conductor, and he has much to learn about the ways of the theatre, but he nevertheless proves himself capable and resourceful, rising to a series of challenges.

Life outside the theatre becomes hectic, too, as he moves from one romantic situation to the next against the inescapable backdrop of post-war rationing and austerity.

Despite changing fortunes, however, he never loses sight of his ambition to become, one day, a conductor in a London theatre.