Bend It Like Beckham, Phoenix Theatre *****

This review is after I went to a preview for the second time. Before the first viewing, I was cynical. The cockup of an advertising campaign from AKA and the success of recent new musicals meant that I was expecting Howard Goodall and Gurinda Chadha's new musical to be equally fruitless. Safe to say I was blown away. Natalie Dew is a gem as Jess, with such a pure and beautiful voice that portrays the innocence of the character that is suppressed by her parents (played magnificently by Natasha Jayetileke and Tony Jayawardena) who are trying to protect her from an unknown culture. This production addresses the themes of identity and the duty to family vs your own life in a way that isn't in your face like the teen film culture has done of late (with films such as Divergent) but in a way that is well executed. Goodall's music fuses western culture with the Indian timbre exquisitely in a way that no West End show currently playing is doing. Miriam Buether's set, whilst very similar to Anthony Ward's design for Women on the Verge, is different and stylish enough to have a distinct character, helped by a superb curtain that captures the fusion of the cultures. Lauren Samuels is a perfect Jules with acting that has matured since Over the Rainbow and a voice as strong. Sophie-Louise Dann is hilarious and as talented as ever and other supporting roles played by Preeya Kalidas and Jamal Andreas that are equally well performed. There are faults, some of which were ironed out by the second preview but some still remain. Jamie Campbell Bower is an impressive actor but his vocal range isn't exactly perfect yet. However, he is far from the worst turn of a celebrity recently (note Tamsin Greig). The use of a David Beckham lookalike also leaves me slightly cold even after a second look. However, this doesn't detract from a joyous and feel-good evening of entertainment.