You can bet that somewhere in the world right now, a feel-good musical is taking place, delighting audiences and making them feel wonderful about life. With their inspiring stories, colourful characters and infectious songs, shows like Wicked, The Lion King and Mamma Mia! are hard to beat, but a new contender has entered the ring and it brings an almighty punch.
As the title suggests, Bend It Like Beckham is another film turned stage musical, in the same vain as Billy Elliot, The Full Monty and Strictly Ballroom. Having launched mid-year, its popularity is already surging with critics calling it ‘life-affirming’ and a ‘bold British triumph!’ Going by the success of the 2002 movie, one would expect some success, given its social messages of race, culture and sexuality, but above all it tells the story of a young girl overcoming adversity. Granted this has been done before from National Velvet to Yentl, and Milan, but the reason this formula wins out, is because so many relate to it. Everyone has dreams!
Speaking of which, the main reason Bend It Like Beckham transfers so well from screen to stage is that the original writer/director Gurinder Chadha is at the helm. Initially Chadha resisted calls to turn Bend It Like Beckham into a musical, but after considering how times have changed and feeling that race relations needed a positive boost, she gave it a go.
On stage the story is the same. Teenager Jess Bhamra loves playing football, along with her best friend Jules, but faces resistance from her Punjabi Indian parents who expect an education followed by marriage. There is a love triangle and while Jess’s hero is soccer legend David Beckham, there is a very real chance she can also follow her own dreams in joining a women’s soccer team.
Starring in the lead role is Natalie Dew who has already made a name for herself in such Shakespearian plays as Twelfth Night, Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet. Lauren Samuels (We Will Rock You) plays Jules, and Jamie Campbell from The Twilight Saga, is coach Joe – though no longer Irish. The movie made stars of Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who many consider big shoes to fill, but the stage cast brings a unique flavor and truly own their roles.
Some critics feel the show lacks the film’s grittier edge, but the social commentary is still quite strong in songs such as People Like Us, where Jess’s father, played by Tony Jayawardena, highlights how prejudice ruined his own dreams. There is also gay cousin Tony played by Jamal Andreas and Jules’ mother played by Sophie-Louise Dann, providing the comic relief.
Reflective of our progressive times, the musical itself, opens doors for many actors who might otherwise have been marginalised. Furthermore the show premiered the same week the FIFA Women’s World Cup. As for Becks himself, the soccer star gave it the full thumbs up, kindly giving permission for use of his name. After all, how could he refuse seeing his name up in lights! Director Gurinder Chadha continues her winning streak, with Bend It Like Beckham indeed kicking a winning goal!
Bend It Like Beckham is playing at the Phoenix Theatre, London. For more visit: www.benditlikebeckhamthemusical.co.uk
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