Paul Mayeda Berges

The final whistle for West End’s Bend It Like Beckham

News, West End
Bend It Like Beckham

Bend It Like Beckham will play its final performance in London’s West End in six weeks. Meanwhile, producers of the critically acclaimed musical are finalising plans for tours of India, Dubai and the UK. The musical, directed by Gurinder Chadha, with original music by Howard Goodall, lyrics by Charles Hart and a new book by Paul Mayeda Berges & Gurinder Chadha, has played at the Phoenix Theatre since May 2015 and will close on 5 March 2016. Gurinder Chadha said: ”I am incredibly proud of the Bend It Like Beckham cast, musicians, production and creative teams. “We opened at the Phoenix Theatre to the most amazing five star reviews and we’ve inspired and entertained people of all ages and all backgrounds, something I have not seen in the West End for many years. “Whether in the UK or abroad, Bend It Like Beckham will continue to defy expectations and proudly represent … Read more

REVIEW: Bend It Like Beckham, Phoenix Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Bend It Like Beckham at London's Phoenix Theatre

Act Two is practically perfect. It starts with a fabulous number for the girls, Glorious, and it never looks back. It’s full of great music from Goodall and the range of styles he covers is significant. He uses Punjabi tunes effectively, there is a terrific solo for Jules’s mother, There She Goes, a melodious duet which is gentle and joyful, Bend It, then a stirring quintet and an overwhelmingly joyous piece which celebrates the wedding of Pinky and Teetu in contrapuntal tandem with the celebration of the football grand final win. By the time the second Act is over, the longeurs of the first have been brushed aside, and the infectious sense of harmony and happiness is irrepressible.