Strictly professional brings Hollywood to Frome – with help from local dancers

STRICTLY Come Dancing professional, Pasha Kovalev, will be bringing the ‘Magic of Hollywood’ to Frome’s Memorial Theatre, with his dance partner Anya Garnis, on Saturday 7th April featuring dancers from Frome dance school ‘Danceworks.’

Speaking to Frome Times this week, Pasha said, “Magic of Hollywood is a dance show based on iconic Hollywood movie moments set to music I love, that everyone knows. Songs from Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Dirty Dancing, Moulin Rouge, latest classics and also some that are in the movie theatres right now.

“The show features a love story for the audience to follow, all expressed through the iconic movie moments. It has beauty and glamour, with beautiful costumes and sparkles. What Strictly show would be complete without sparkles? There will also be live singing, from professionals, not me, i’ll stick to dancing, I’m better at that!

“Anya and I have been dance partners for 20 years. The creative journey is difficult, but it’s much easier when you create a show with someone you know and who knows you. We complement each other and have created this final project together.

“During the show I will also be joined by a local dance studio, Danceworks, giving them the chance to perform and showcase their talents. I love watching what they come up with and seeing them be creative. It’s great to be able to dance with them and include them in the show.”

Debbie Haines, owner of Danceworks said, “The girls are delighted to have been asked to join Pasha and Anya on stage. They got the opportunity to dance with him last year and jumped at the chance to dance with him again.

“They get to perform with Pasha in the first act and then have a second dance in the second act. Pasha is just as lovely and charming as he seems. He signs the girls’ t-shirts backstage and really is a nice guy.”

Having performed at Frome’s Memorial Theatre before, Pasha said, “Every time I’ve been to Frome it’s been raining, so I haven’t been able to explore much. But that’s what this island brings us, weather-wise.

“But what is great about Frome is the people in the theatres, they don’t hold back on their cheering and shouting. Having an audience like that is the best, I love it. I’m really looking forward to bringing our new show to Frome. Now you don’t have to dream about seeing iconic dances from the 40s and 50s, you can see it close to home. I love Hollywood films such as Singing in the Rain, Dirty Dancing and Strictly Ballroom, I can watch them over and over, so I am excited to bring these to life.”

Pasha is well-known for appearing as a professional dancer on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing having lifted the glitterball with TV presenter Caroline Flack in 2014.

Pasha said, ”Strictly is a family-orientated show, it’s very important in the art industry where not all family members are often included. It’s a dance show that caters for everyone, everyone finds something they like whether it be the music, the dancing, the competition, the celebrities;  it really brings together the generations.

“What you see on TV is very real. We are one big happy family that the celebrities become a part of. Its success has come out of genuinely being honest and kind.This is what dancing is and what I hope to bring to my new show.

“To the people of Frome,  no matter the weather outside, inside the theatre will be warm with lots of fantastic music. The theatre will be transformed to the streets of Hollywood. Bring your loved ones, family, friends, buy tickets as a present to your boyfriend, husband, girlfriend, wife and I hope to see you there. You will enjoy it!”

To buy tickets for ‘The Magic of Hollywood’ visit the Memorial Theatre website http://www.fmt.website/ for more information.