THE two young stars tasked with bringing one of the most popular musicals of all time to the intimate surroundings of Manchester Royal Exchange are under no illusions about the task ahead of them

But Andy Coxon and Gabriela Garcia are equally determined to enjoy every second they are on stage.

“We are going to live and breathe every performance,” said Gabriela, who plays Maria.

“This is such a good story, honestly it’s a blessing to be part of the show, particularly here at the Royal Exchange,” said Andy, who plays Tony.

A story of star-crossed lovers, rival gangs and THAT score by Leonard Bernstein featuring songs including Somewhere, Tonight and America, West Side Story is one of the most popular shows of all time.

But audiences heading to Manchester for its seven-week run are in for a number of surprises.

“It is a very different production,” said Andy. “It is sparse and it features new choreography for the first time ever which is just so exciting. The audience will be really immersed into the world of the Sharks and the Jets.”

“We all feel as though the whole thing has been approached as a play first rather than a musical which has made it so interesting,” said Gabriela. “It is so relevant to today. There is knife crime and prejudice and gangs. They are all in the news now.”

The production is directed by Sarah Frankom, the Royal Exchange’s artistic director.

“Because this is Sarah’s first musical it has been amazing for us from a musical background to work with a play director and see how they approach the material,” said Andy. “It feels like the priorities are in a different place which I really like.”

Both Andy and Gabriela are revelling in the creative freedom they have been given to create their characters.

“Anything I play, I want it to be an extension of myself so that people believe it and care about that character,” said Andy.

“It’s very hard not to play Tony as being a bit wet but I didn’t want that. He’s a complex character. He founded the Jets but when we meet him he has stepped away from the gang but we don’t really know why. It’s all about finding those different layers.

“You want the audience to connect with him, care about him and understand why he goes the way he does. There’s a lot to play in two hours.”

Gabriela added: “The music is so iconic but we feel like we have the liberty to be different. You expect the songs to be done in a certain way but we’ve been allowed to come at them with a fresh approach.”

For Mexican-born Gabriela, Maria is a very special role.

“It’s great to be able to play a Latina role that I grew up with,” she said. “I’m making a big effort to make it as realistic as possible and get the Puerto Rican accent as realistic as possible.

“When I watched Natalie Wood play Maria in the film it was a bit like many people’s reaction to Dick van Dyke’s cockney chimney sweep in Mary Poppins – the accent just didn’t sound right

“There is a big Latin American community in Manchester and I was those people to be able to go and see the show and think ‘finally we’re represented’.”

Both Andy and Gabriela will be performing at the Royal Exchange for the first time.

“The first time I saw the theatre was when we came for final auditions,” said Gabriela. “At that point I didn’t know I’d got the part but they showed me the theatre space and I cried.

“When I saw that space I really wanted to be part of the show. Until I saw it, I didn’t realise how cool it was or how different it was to anything I’d ever seen.”

“Since we got the roles we have both seen The Producers and Death of a Salesman at the theatre,” said Andy.

“They were two very different productions in the same space – you can do so much with it. It is a very special place.”

“The surroundings are a bit daunting,” said Gabriela. “The audience are so close, They will have to watch out as we’ll be kicking their legs as we move around.”

Andy has worked on a number of successful musicals including Hair, Sister Act and Beautiful - the Carole King musical in London’s West End and Gabriela has appeared in Strictly Ballroom.

“We had worked together briefly at a workshop,” said Andy, “so it was nice to see a familiar face when we got to the final auditions.

“I made such a mess of my first audition I actually rang my agent to say that avenue wouldn’t be going any further. It just shows, you never know what they are looking for.

“Now I just feel blessed, this is the show everyone wants on their CV.”

West Side Story, Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, Saturday, April 6 to Saturday, May 25. Details from 0161 833 9833 or www.royalexchange.co.uk