Bend It Like Beckham Opens At The Phoenix Theatre Next May!
Posted on 5 November 2014
Following months of speculation, it has been confirmed that the musical adaptation of Bend It Like Beckham will open at the West End's Phoenix Theatre next year!
Gurinder Chadhawill directs the world premiere of the new British musical which opens at the Phoenix Theatre (where Once is currently running) on 24th June 2015 (previews from 15th May). It is produced by Sonia Friedman who is also behind countless theatrical hits including The Book of Mormon and Legally Blonde.
With original music by Howard Goodall and lyrics by Charles Hart, Bend It Like Beckham has a new book by Paul Mayeda Berges and Gurinder Chadha. Last year’s developmental workshop starred Samantha Barks and Richard Fleeshman; however, casting for the West End run is yet to be announced.
Gurinder Chadha said: “Developing Bend It Like Beckham for the stage has been the most enjoyable creative process of my career so far. It was always my intention to build on the film and to present its themes and storylines to live audiences in an exciting new dynamic way. I have been inspired by musicals ever since I was a little girl, now with Bend It like Beckham, such a familiar story to so many,
“I believe we are presenting a totally new kind of musical - part West End, part London Punjabi, but whole heartedly British. I am very excited for us to take our place with so many inspirational musicals past and present in my home town London.”
Choreography and musical staging is by Aletta Collins with set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Katrina Lindsay, lighting design by Neil Austin, sound design by Richard Brooker, musical direction by Nigel Lilley and orchestrations by Howard Goodall and Kuljit Bhamra.
Bend It Like Beckham the musical tickets go on public sale on Friday 7th November 2014.
