Bend It Like Beckham The Musical - Phoenix Theatre

[Michael]

The show based on the 2002 film will play its final performance at the Phoenix Theatre on Saturday, 5th March.

This thread is to discuss its last few weeks and the closing show.

[dan]

Ticket arrived today for the final performance! I'm sad this is going away so soon and hope it finds a life and audience on the road and internationally.

[djp]

Jan 21, 2016 20:20:40 GMT dan said:

Ticket arrived today for the final performance! I'm sad this is going away so soon and hope it finds a life and audience on the road and internationally.

Yes went to the matinee last week , and its a great tribute to its cast who have clearly had their own input into improving it, and  made it much slicker than when it started -  they include some really great singers and actors . Also notable how good the  harriers  sound -  when you have the leads and all their understudies on in one group.  

Not at all sure why it took the management so long to work out what would look good on TV - it took till Children in Need for them to get the point that if you have really good singers, put the songs with them in, on for your PR. And the  ticketing of the  show has been really bizarre - the premium seats were excessive, the availability of cheap seats surprising - with the result that the  seats stayed empty,  and others in the  same row were priced at a third as much, and people seemingly could get most seats at knockdown prices if they waited. You have to think they wouldn't  put so many people off if they were not greedy with  premium seats , and it must be better to sell at a middling price in the first place.

[caa]

As much as I really enjoy the show, I remember feeling when I first saw it, that it was always going to be a marmite show. I agree that the pricing has been really odd, as this was a show that needed word of mouth and attract groups. In a way its as if the producers weren't sure who to aim at.

[couldileaveyou]

I don't get the hate for this show. Clearly it's not the new Sunday in the Park with George, but it's enjoyable, there are some very catchy songs and the cast is lovely. I hope to see it again before it closes.

[westendcub]

I never did quite get my head round the negative levels that this show reach on the board but I was on the side of really enjoyed and it (have seen twice).

I knew it would never be a long runner but I am feeling a little disheartened we lose this show and gain ‘Guys and Dolls’ in its place but I am glad this show got a cast recording and played on the West-End for 10 months (yes I am aware it was heavily discounted throughout it’s entire run– both times I was in top priced seats at £15 and didn’t sell to the masses).

I am tempted to go a 3rd, I do love a last night but then again so many deals to be had before that I may go on one of them instead!

[Seriously]

It was never really negativity posted at the show, other than a level that is usually warranted by a show that's "just ok". It was more incredulity towards one poster's complete change of character over it... which she eventually admitted was because she worked on the show, and had invested money. I was told to "piss off" because I posted I felt the colour scheme was "a little primary" for my taste. Another poster was also told to "piss off" more recently. We were told we were racist if we didn't like the show... and that "half a million Sikhs will get behind this".

[Mark]

Hoping to see this one last time when I'm down in London next month. I'll be away on holiday when the final performance takes place.


Sad to see it go but it ran longer than a lot of shows recently.

[Scots UK Theatre]

Bend it like Beckham certainly isn't the worst show I've ever seen, that honour still does to Viva Forever! It's worth getting a deal and seeing it before it closes.

[greeny11]

I thought it was OK, but the score was just too bland for my liking. I thought Jamie Campbell Bower's singing was atrocious which didn't help but Natalie Dew's performance deserves a nomination or two.

[ali973]

Jan 23, 2016 21:27:47 GMT greeny11 said:

I thought it was OK, but the score was just too bland for my liking. I thought Jamie Campbell Bower's singing was atrocious which didn't help but Natalie Dew's performance deserves a nomination or two.

Interesting. See I thought that the staging was dire and pedestrian, but the score was pretty decent. I actually have the cast recording on my iTunes and would listen to a few songs here and there. I think we are in agreement that Jamie Campbell was the worst thing ever to be witnessed on stage. 

[Rozzi Rainbow]

I was also going to post this on the old forum, but everyone on that thread just seems to be talking about what is going into the Phoenix next rather than this show, so I'm leaving them to it and just posting here.

I saw this for the first time yesterday afternoon and LOVED it, I thought it was brilliant! I thought the tunes were catchy, and the set was great, and was into it right from the start. I loved how they did the football scenes - I wonder if the balls have ever fallen into the audience? - and no-one can tell me that wasn't really David Beckham!!! I was hoping to get a ticket from TKTS but my train was late so I had to go straight to the theatre - I got a great seat in the stalls for £49.50, but hope to claim some money back on my train ticket which should more than make up for the extra cost. I'd wanted to see this since it opened, but it went on my "shows to see sometime" list and I hadn't got round to it till I was forced to by it now closing soon. I can't believe it's closing, I'd see it again if it wasn't! I thought it was a great, feel-good show, and don't understand why it's not getting enough interest. I suppose if people don't know the film they may be put off thinking it's a show about football - I'm not into football at all! I hope it tours sometime soon.

[Someone in a tree]

I want to see this before it closes. Shall I just turn up and ask for a day seat? I guess the start of the week they are easier to come by

[Mark]

Day seats are pretty good for what you pay. Stage is rather high mind.

[mattw]

I day seated yesterday and I agree the stage is high but I think it was really good value. I got there about 9:15 and was about 9th in line.

I enjoyed the show a lot, Natalie Dew especially was great and Sophie Louise Dann is great in everything she is in!

[mrbarnaby]

Hey guys!

[posull78]

Best seat advice? Where is good to sit for this show (that aren't premium prices). I can get half price in third row stalls. Will they be ok?

[Mark]

Will be great those seats

[Deleted]

Jan 25, 2016 11:22:41 GMT posull78 said:

Best seat advice? Where is good to sit for this show (that aren't premium prices). I can get half price in third row stalls. Will they be ok?

Great seats.

You'll still be watching 'Bend It Like Beckham' though.

It's like 'Sophie's Choice'.

[posull78]

Thanks for advice. We like to sit close but neck ache is not ideal but they are still selling the rows behind at premium pricing even though the availability for the performance on ATG looks about 75-80% of the house plus all the other websites.

Someone mentioned 15 pound tickets. Im coming from Australia and the exchange rate isnt ideal right now. Are there any deals for that price going around or codes anyone knows about?

[stevej678]

It's interesting the reaction this show has received over the last twelve months.

The five star reviews were undeserved when there were clear flaws evident in the direction (such as the inconsistent use of the door frame as entrance/exit to Jess' home), however there's a great show in there somewhere with two fantastic leads. Tony Jayawardena had a commanding presence as Mr Bhamra too.

The show certainly has its appeal but overall feels like a missed opportunity, particularly in the failure to trim the running time by a good 20 minutes during previews, while the marketing has been largely dreadful - the EPK is awful and the tube presence pretty dismal, bordering on amateurish. Kinky Boots really shows how effective trailers and eye-catching advertising should be done.

Even though I enjoyed watching this at the Phoenix, it's proven fairly forgettable since but I do feel sad to see it closing when the replacement is as uninspiring a choice as a tepid production of Guys and Dolls. May treat myself to a cast recording to reminisce!

[ncbears]

Winner of Critics Circle Award for Best Musical (new or revival).

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2016 16:14:32 GMT ncbears said:

Winner of Critics Circle Award for Best Musical (new or revival).

Seeing as they all fell over themselves to give it 5 stars across the board, I can't imagine they'd have been able to give the award to anything else really.

[Sue]

Jan 24, 2016 22:32:20 GMT mrbarnaby said:

Hey guys!

MrB is that really you or just an imposter??!!!!

[djp]

Jan 26, 2016 4:43:21 GMT posull78 said:

Thanks for advice. We like to sit close but neck ache is not ideal but they are still selling the rows behind at premium pricing even though the availability for the performance on ATG looks about 75-80% of the house plus all the other websites.

Someone mentioned 15 pound tickets. Im coming from Australia and the exchange rate isnt ideal right now. Are there any deals for that price going around or codes anyone knows about?

You could take a Phd in bendit pricing - there  were 6 or 7 different prices for one  seat for next week I just bought - anything from 40 to 25 pounds for a row c stalls seat - january rate, concessions rate , atg club card rate .......... then there's a block of unsold premium seats just behind - which they may get desperate to sell on the  day.