Bend It Like Beckham at the Phoenix Theatre
By Lydia Parker
Bend It Like Beckham The Musical is an adaptation by Gurinder Chadha of her wildly successful, award winning 2002 film. The actress who played Jess in the film, Parminder Nagra, went on to find some fame on American TV in ER, but was overshadowed by her co-star Keira Knightley who became an overnight international sensation. The star of this musical version, Natalie Drew, who plays Jess, deserves to follow the path of Miss Knightly instead. She is a charming, sympathetic presence who holds the play together with her warmth and sincerity.
For anyone who hasn’t seen the film, Bend It Like Beckham tells the story of Jesminder Bhamra, an eighteen year-old girl from a Sikh family in Southall, London, who desperately wants to play football. Her parents have let her knock a ball around in the park with boys but now that she is a young lady, they think she should focus on learning to cook and finding a husband. When she is scouted by Jules, a young white girl, to play for the Hounslow Harriers, she is thrilled to be asked to join the team. An attraction develops between Jess and the handsome coach Joe, who had to give up playing after a serious knee injury. Unfortunately for Jess, her sister Pinky’s wedding takes precedence over everything, her father discourages her as he is afraid of her facing the same prejudice he did as a budding cricket player, and her mother just wants her to make dhal. Meanwhile, the ambitious Jules is also faced with discouragement from her own mother, the flirty Paula, who can’t understand why she isn’t chasing boys instead of hanging out with Jess all the time, little realising that Jules is actually in love with Joe. It is interesting that in this updated version Paula suspects Jules and Jess of being lesbians, but the writers didn’t want to take the step of actually going so far as to make one of the girls in love with the other.
It is never easy to represent a sport on stage, but the choreographer, Aletta Collins, does a wonderful job with making the players always dance in a style suggestive of football. In one of the final numbers this style is combined beautifully with the Indian dancing of the wedding party, melding together the two sides of Jess’ life.
Although I didn’t come out humming any tunes, the music by Howard Goodall was often lovely and tried to incorporate traditional Indian themes into the score. I would have liked a less Western/West End sound throughout, personally, for a musical about a Sikh family. The addition of heritage singers, Shahid Khan and Rekha Sawhney, was a nice touch and it actually felt like they were underused. The lyrics by Charles Hart were clever and a couple of the songs were moving, particularly People Like Us in Act Two, when Mr Bhamra sings about his disappointment in life because of the discrimination he faced in the UK as an immigrant. Issues like racism and feminism make this more than just a highly enjoyable musical; they make it relevant to today’s audience.
Aside from a stellar performance from Miss Drew, as Jess, there was strong support from the rest of the cast. Jamie Campbell Bower, known to fans of the Twilight and Harry Potter films, proves he is more than a pretty face as the sensitive and supportive Joe, and has a fine singing voice to boot. The two mothers, played by Natasha Jayetileke and Sophie-Louise Dann, were nicely contrasted, both wanting the best for their daughters while not understanding them at all. Tony Jayawardena was outstanding as Mr Bhamra, providing real depth of feeling and a gorgeous voice as well as wonderful comic timing. In the performance I saw, two of the leads were played by understudies: Kayleigh McKnight as Jules and Sejal Keshwala as Pinky. It is never an easy job being an understudy and both did admirably, but I especially liked the hilarious portrayal of Pinky by Miss Keshwala. Constantly chewing gum and snogging her fiance´ Teetu, played by Raj Bajaj with the constant goofy grin of a man madly in love, Pinky was a typical London girl, comfortable in a sari or a miniskirt. Jamal Andreas also deserves mention as Jess’ closeted gay best friend who helps her at every turn to achieve her dreams.
Gurinder Chadha, who has also directed the films Bride and Prejudice, Bhaji on the Beach and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, is to be commended for directing her first play so successfully. It is a wonderful story, beautifully staged with an appealing cast. The hugely appreciative audience at the performance we saw were a mixture of people of all races, nationalities and ages. This is indeed a musical for everyone, even if you don’t like football and have never heard of David Beckham.
Box Office: 0843 316 1082