What’s it all about?
Parents and their children, shifting cultural rules, the rolling season of generational change and taking charge of your own destiny.
Oh, you thought it was about football? Well that’s definitely part of it too.
Who’s in it?
As Jess, the British Indian teenager torn between following her footballing dreams and pleasing her more traditional parents, Natalie Dew emerges as the show’s star player. Leading her first West End musical, she delivers all the turmoil of a teen struggling to bring two worlds together and find her own future.
Leading the line with her is an angsty, determined driven Jules in the shape of the excellent Lauren Samuels.
But this is a team game and an exceptional cast wins together. Jamie Campbell Bower finds the earthy charm in football coach Joe, Preeya Kalidas and Sophie-Louise Dann hilariously hit all the comedy marks as bride to be Pinky and floundering glamour puss mum Paula, while the brilliant Tony Jayawardena skilfully finds every ounce and nuance of parental emotion possible as Jess’ dad. He very nearly had me bawling like Gazza.
What should I look out for?
Aletta Collins’ choreography that wittily takes its cues, as you might expect, from soccer stretches, warm ups and training.
The crescendo of parental love that is Act 2 climax People Like Us/Glorious, the mother-daughter ode to releasing your kids There She Goes and the mournful, haunting pre-wedding Mehndi; they’re Howard Goodall and Charles Hart numbers that would all make the Match Of The Day highlights reel.
The moments when everything appears entirely normal then, in a heartbeat, a metaphorical Cantona kick of complete randomness knocks the wind right out of you, leaving you, like a Russian linesman, questioning your eyes’ reliability.
Who was in the press night crowd?
We genuinely shared Bombay mix with DJ/presenter Nihal, side-stepped opening night regulars Vanessa Feltz and Graham Norton on the way to the bar and spotted star of the original film Juliet Stevenson having a whale of a time.
In a nutshell?
Gurinder Chadha scores a winner with this culture-fusing celebration of self-empowerment and family love. Back of the net!
What’s being said on Twitter?
I don’t like musicals but @BendItMusical is so good. V v funny! Go and see it. Or don’t. I can’t make you. #BendIt
— Nihal Arthanayake (@TherealNihal) June 24, 2015
GET THE FULL EXPERIENCE:
To see this content you’ll need to allow us to set some additional cookies!
What an amazing show @BendItMusical Fun, Emotional, Colourful, Sporty, Talented, Energetic. #lovedit You must see it. Well done #BendIt
— Kelly Holmes (@damekellyholmes) June 24, 2015
GET THE FULL EXPERIENCE:
To see this content you’ll need to allow us to set some additional cookies!
Will I like it?
If you are a parent, have ever been a parent, want to be a parent, are a teenager, aspire to be a teenager or just about remember your teenage years, YES. Amid the Billy Elliot-esque tale of discovered talent and cultural clashes, Chadha, co-writer Paul Mayeda Berges and Hart have created the most beautiful, honest and touching impressions of familial love. Irresistibly joyful and gloriously heart-warming.
Bend It Like Beckham The Musical is booking at the Phoenix Theatre until 24 October. You can book tickets through us here.
The show is also taking part in Kids Week, our annual initiative offering one free child’s ticket with every full price adult ticket bought for performances in August. For more information and to book visit the Kids Week website.