Brighton Little Theatre may be a tiny venue, but its current production has a big heart.

Kenneth Grahame’s much loved The Wind In The Willows, adapted by Alan Bennett into a light-hearted stage play, is here only until the weekend so catch it while you can – and bring little ones along to the matinee on Saturday (13).

A smattering of songs - including a couple of carols with some beautiful harmonies - give the children’s classic a Christmassy touch and the 16-strong cast don’t overwhelm the stage despite its size.

A pared down set and clever props (a boat, car and caravan) costumes and minimal makeup suit perfectly, and there is even room for some social comment on the gap between rich and poor, and the speed of change.

Ratty and Mole’s friendship – some might say ‘bromance’– is central to the plot, making us quickly warm to the characters.

There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, although a declaiming Toad pretty much steals the show.

The expert script means long-suffering Albert the horse, played as a pessimistic Liverpudlian, also gets a chance to shine.

When curmudgeonly badger leads the animals into battle at Toad Hall to reclaim it from the dastardly weasels, peace is restored and the audience is treated to a heart-warming finale.

Singing animals, humour, snow, what more could you want? Utterly charming.