THERE'S an international flavour to the new season programme at Hereford Courtyard, with companies visiting from Hungary, Pakistan, Italy, Russia, Africa and America.

Anyone who saw Italy's origami mime artist, Ennio Marchetto, three years ago will await his return with anticipation (July 19), while the 50-strong Russian State Cossack Dancers always sell-out (May 2).

Competing for big-impact appeal is the Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards (May 4) which makes its first visit to the venue.

It's a summer season of music, including highbrow and mass market, including lots for families.

The Courtyard Junior Youth Theatre presents the first in-house production of 2007 with The Wind in the Willows, although it is billed as an urban take on the Kenneth Graeme classic, so may prove surprising .

Courtesy of Orchestras Live, Hereford Concert Society and Nightjar, names like Joanna MacGregor, Tasmin Little, John Kirkpatrick and Eliza Carthy pepper the pages, while there's Sing-a-long-a Abba, Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music and Bee Gees Magic to cheery things along.

The African Children's Choir and The OperaBabes are also set to fill houses on May 12 and May 19.

For theatre-lovers, a hot tip must be 4Play Theatre Company's production of Yasmina Reza's West End hit, Art, from May 9-12.

Exploring one of the oldest arguments on earth - what is art? - this award-winning play is a must-see.

For quirky one-offs (One Man Star Wars Trilogy - June 5) and top-flight comedy (Jeremy Hardy - May 3), plus more surprises, call the box office on 0870 1122330 for a brochure or book online at www.courtyard.org.uk