BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM THE MUSICAL: PHOENIX THEATRE-02.06.15

When I turned up to the theatre on Tuesday, I was afraid. I was afraid that this play, an adaptation of one of my favourite films from my youth; a coming of age story which appeals to my Indian roots, and spotlighted issues I had grown up with seeing and hearing about, wasn't going to measure up to the films greatness. Then I looked at the poster and saw that Gurinder Chadha was directing the production-Hallelujah! This woman along with Kate Prince, is another one of my female heroes due to the fact that she has given a huge voice to British Indian females in the U.K, using her comedic films to also explore some of the wider social and emotional issues around Indians in Britain. So I had a good feeling about this- that it would be in trustworthy hands.

In brief- Bend it like Beckham follows the story of Jess Bhamra, who comes form a traditional Indian family, but lives eats and breathes football. Her family would love for her to attend University, get married and become a Lawyer. Jess wants to play football, and only football. She is talented and gets spotted to play for the 'Hounslow Harriers'  girls team. She secretly commits to the team, making 'acceptable' excuses to her family about where she might be. A strong friendship is created with her friend Jools played in the film by Keira Knightly. As the story progresses, Jess has to choose between taking opportunities to let her talent shine in football, or follow the path that her family want for her.

Immediately I was gripped, as the curtain went up and the stage was covered with a 'Goalie' gauze. 'Jess' was centre stage listening to the voiceover of football chants and Beckham commentary, then a huge burst of colour erupted as the opening scene began-set to uplifting music and storytelling through song about belonging to 'UB2'-Southall. A place where I have spent many days eating food (pretty much all day eating food. My family have been known to do two sittings in two different restaurants just for the joy of it!) and recognisable shop fronts spread across the clever set, including 'Jalebi Junction' which I was in a couple of days earlier buying Indian sweets with my cousin.

The show never loses it's pace as it goes from song to song quite rapidly actually, some more uplifting with the energy coming from the beat of the dhol drum, some more emotive with sweet lyrics and memorable melodies. The songs were well pitched and humorous, linking strongly to the humour in the film.

The set was so clever, with revolving panels that revealed Southall Broadway, the training ground, the German football pitch. The bedrooms of Jess and Jools came out from the wings on a raised platform and the highlight for me was the lit up recognisable Semi- detached in Southall with a picture of Babaji coming from the flys. Very cleverly done. I also loved the fact that we could see the orchestra all the way through, and they had chosen to place them at the top centre of the stage backdrop so that we could see them in all their glory-the glory that an orchestra deserves.

Some highlights from the show for me where:

• The football scenes with the girls team on the pitch- I thought the choreography was very clever. If someone told me to go and choreograph a football dance, I could imagine feeling quite limited at first, but the choreographer did a great job with this, and the song sung by Jools felt very liberating and fun!
• The 'engagement party' sequence was hilarious, and touching. When the families were discussing how they had arrived in England and what they had achieved, it made me think about my own Grandparents and how they had settled in Hounslow after moving from Bombay. I wonder what challenges they may have faced that I didn't know about? The song and music in this section were beyond brilliant! Celebratory, fun, very Indian, and made me want to get up and dance. 
• The musical 'mash up' arrangements throughout were fantastic. A brilliant mash up between Jools, Jess and both of their Mum's made for a sweet rendition that moved me, and the mash up towards the end of the finale between the Wedding song and Jess' final game was outstanding. Really outstanding.
• Jess' song before the interval where Beckham appeared and a light projection of a football was used to show the scoring of the goal-very clever!

I could go on, but I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone who is going to go and see it. This is not a copy of the film (although classic moments such as 'Lesbian? I thought Jessminder was a Pisces' were left in thank goodness!) but a brilliant musical in it's own right. I left the theatre feeling elated, feeling proud of my mixed race roots, and very proud to be British. Book your ticket now!

http://benditlikebeckhamthemusical.co.uk/