A Strictly champion has teamed up with a musical Sussex duo for a new production.

Pasha Kovalev will choreograph Worthing couple Anna and Nigel Newman’s Barista The Musical, which will debut at Horsham’s historic Capitol Theatre from September 12 to 21, 2024.

The production charts a young Colombian woman's journey to follow her dreams while unlocking the nightmares of her past and will feature an original score, "show-stopping numbers" and Latin and contemporary dance.

Having departed Strictly Come Dancing after eight seasons, three finals and winning one glitter ball trophy, Pasha has concentrated on production and choreography projects.

In 2021, Pasha returned to the West End as one of the lead performers in 'Here Come The Boys’ and this year, Pasha has choreographed feature film Paris Christmas Waltz and is currently touring the UK in La Bamba: The Musical.

The Newmans, both born and bred in Sussex, began writing and workshopping the production over ten years ago.

Nigel is a songwriter, composer and a musical director with over 30 years of experience.

He has written scores for a number of musicals including Jamaica Inn, an adaptation of the Daphne du Maurier novel and Rough Music, Rough Justice, a large scale community-based project.

This is Anna’s first collaboration on a musical and she said she has thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of writing and developing the original story and bringing it to life through the script and musical score.

Now having recruited their creative team, they are preparing for the forthcoming casting call and looking forward to the journey ahead, as they see their dream come to fruition.

“We’re thrilled and hugely excited,” said Nigel.

“With all the love and hard work that has gone into the show, it’s absolutely wonderful to see it coming to life, and to know it will soon be on stage is more than a dream come true.”

“Both Nigel and I were born and have lived in Sussex all their lives and so it seemed like a natural step to stage Barista in a Sussex Theatre,” said Anna.

“The show has a bit of a following locally too, which obviously makes it easier for those who have been supporting us until now to see the show (more than once hopefully). Also, Nigel is a well known Sussex based musician and musical director, so it all made sense. The Capitol in Horsham is a fantastic venue, with very comfortable raked seating. We felt it was just the right fit for us.”

For more information or to buy tickets visit www.baristathemusical.com