THE adventures of Ratty, Mole, Badger and, of course, Mr Toad are familiar to countless children of all ages and now they're coming to the Courtyard - with an exciting twist to the tale.

When Jason Suel, whose Courtyard Youth Theatre production of The Wind in the Willows is his first on the main stage, initially began to think about how he would stage the piece, he was struck by the idea of tribes of animals.

Then a conversation with musical director Benjamin Peer about his wide experience of North African drumming gave him the theme for a production with a difference.

Kenneth Grahame's story of friendship and forgiveness, compassion and generosity is infused with drumming and stunning dance sequences to create The Wind in the Willows as you've never seen it before.

"The children who have been given drumming roles have now been working with Benjamin every week and they're really enjoying it," says Jason. "One of them now plans to continue taking drumming lessons with Benjamin after the production."

Explaining why he chose the Grahame classic for his first main house production with the youth theatre, Jason, who relocated with his wife Sarah from the USA last August to take the role of education officer/youth theatre leader, says: "The Wind in the Willows has always been one of my favourites and I really wanted a chance to direct it."

Another serendipitous conversation, this time with Michelle Holder of the Attitude dance company, saw her sign up to choreograph the dancing and assign some of her company to go in to rehearsals once a week to work with the children.

"This production is a real collaborative experience," says Jason.

Juggling two casts of around 90 children is adding to the challenge, but one Jason is enjoying.

"We have a green' cast and a yellow' cast, and each has a very different personality, so the areas needing guidance and encouragement always differ from one cast's rehearsals to the other."

The Wind in the Willows is at The Courtyard from Wednesday, April 11, to Saturday, April 14, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.