D'ARTAGNAN was brave, fearless and quick with a sword - but you never caught him turning pirouettes.

That is until now. Next Saturday, Northern Ballet Theatre will unveil its new production, The Three Musketeers, at Bradford Alhambra Theatre.

Alongside impressive sets, costumes and choreography, you can count on adventure and swashbuckling action.

"I think the type of story it is suits the Northern Ballet Theatre style, " says artistic director David Nixon.

"It is adventurous, fun, entertaining and it needs really good men and I think that's one strength of the Northern Ballet Theatre and it helped with the sword-fighting and joie de vivre."

The sword-action is even more impressive. "We have a specially trained choreographer as it's very complicated and all real fights, " says David. "They can do it very well but we have had a few accidents.

"It's the problems with working in a confined space; you have to be very careful. There were problems with getting used to the tops of the swords ad holding them to close to heads."

It is not the first time the Alexandre Dumas novel has been turned into a ballet. Australian Ballet and a number of others have done it before, says David.

It does present challenges, not least in persuading female dancers they won't be forgotten.

"The women were a bit apprehensive and didn't how much involvement they'd have in it but we've really shown the women's role of the time and lots of dancers get a lot to do.

"It's always a challenge to make dance tell a story though and so it's realising what is special about it as a ballet."

Music lovers are in for a treat, as the ballet is set to music by one of Britain's greatest living composers, Sir Malcolm Arnold. The company's orchestra plays the score live.

David, who relishes the opportunity to set dance to live music, believes the production should entertain everyone.

"There are some really beautiful sets, lots of different costumes and I really do think the sword-fighting will be very impressive to people.

"The essence really is all for one and one for all."

The Three Musketeers, September 23 to 30, Bradford Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, for tickets phone 01274 432 000