After many years of speculation, Bend It Like Beckham has finally arrived in the a West End as a brand new British Musical.
Adapting their onscreen smash hit for the stage, Gurinder Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges have teamed up once again, this time with the added challenge of adding song and dance to their work.
Like the film, the story focuses on the character of Jess Bhamra, an 18-year-old Sikh girl living in Southall with her traditionalist parents and soon to be wed sister, Pinky. Bucking tradition, Jess loves playing football despite having been forbidden to participate by her parents. Soon she finds a friend in Jules, a female football player for the Hounslow Harriers who convinces Jess to join her team.
Problems arise for both Jess and Jules as Jess' parents become suspicious of her activities and Jules' mum starts suspecting her daughter might be gay. Further issues occur when both girls fall for the same man; their football coach...uh oh! Can the girls' friendship overcome their parent’s expectations and their scrabble over a boy? Can they work together to win that all important match?
Bend it Like Beckham is directed by Chadha with original music by Howard Goodall and lyrics by Charles Hart. Aletta Colins provides choreography and musical staging, with set by Miriam Buether and costume by Katrina Lindsay.
The original cast of the show included Natalie Dew as Jess, Lauren Samuels as Jules, Jamie Campbell Bower as Joe, Sophie Louise Dann as Jules' mum, Paula and Preeya Kalidas as Pinky.
Performance dates: 05 Mar 2016 - 05 Mar 2016
Running time: 2 hours 50 minutes including an interval
Age restrictions: Recommended for 10+
Special notice: Lovers of football and musical theatre alike will enjoy this show, which is fun for all the family.
Adapting their onscreen smash hit for the stage, Gurinder Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges have teamed up once again, this time with the added challenge of adding song and dance to their work.
Like the film, the story focuses on the character of Jess Bhamra, an 18-year-old Sikh girl living in Southall with her traditionalist parents and soon to be wed sister, Pinky. Bucking tradition, Jess loves playing football despite having been forbidden to participate by her parents. Soon she finds a friend in Jules, a female football player for the Hounslow Harriers who convinces Jess to join her team.
Problems arise for both Jess and Jules as Jess' parents become suspicious of her activities and Jules' mum starts suspecting her daughter might be gay. Further issues occur when both girls fall for the same man; their football coach...uh oh! Can the girls' friendship overcome their parent’s expectations and their scrabble over a boy? Can they work together to win that all important match?
Bend it Like Beckham is directed by Chadha with original music by Howard Goodall and lyrics by Charles Hart. Aletta Colins provides choreography and musical staging, with set by Miriam Buether and costume by Katrina Lindsay.
The original cast of the show included Natalie Dew as Jess, Lauren Samuels as Jules, Jamie Campbell Bower as Joe, Sophie Louise Dann as Jules' mum, Paula and Preeya Kalidas as Pinky.
Best seats
To catch all of the fantastical football action, it is best advised to sit in the middle of the Stalls or the middle of the Dress Circle. The more adventurous theatregoers who wish to be totally immersed in the "beautiful game" may wish to sit in rows B-D of the Stalls.Important information
Playing at: Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0JGPerformance dates: 05 Mar 2016 - 05 Mar 2016
Running time: 2 hours 50 minutes including an interval
Age restrictions: Recommended for 10+
Special notice: Lovers of football and musical theatre alike will enjoy this show, which is fun for all the family.