Mole, Ratty and Toad get musical makeover

In The Willows, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, March 20-23.

Street dance, beats and street-smart slang might seem a world away from Kenneth Grahame's Edwardian tales of the riverbank, but this is Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad as you've never seen them before.

Brand new musical In The Willows, making the Belgrade its only Midlands venue on a limited national tour, turns Grahame's pastoral classic on its head, moving the action from the banks of that dreamy river into a tough urban school.

New girl Mole, intimidated by her classmates, is taken under the wing of kindly Mr Badger, streetwise Ratty and rich kid Toad, and seems to be settling in well - until Toad has a run-in with the law and local gang the Weasel Clan threaten to expose her darkest secrets.

The cast is led by Olivier-award winner Clive Rowe, perhaps best known for his role as Norman 'Duke' Ellington in CBBC's The Story Of Tracey Beaker, and with an uplifting story, 20 big musical numbers and some breathtaking dance routines, In The Willows looks to have something for all the family.

For tickets call 02476 553055 or go to www.belgrade.co.uk