Act summaries

Act 1

The dream match

The film Bend It Like Beckham (2002) directed by Gurinder Chadha begins with a voiceover of a commentary for a football match. Football player David Beckham passes the ball to a girl named Jess Bhamra who scores. 

In the tv studio, experts and guests discuss Bhamra’s play. The first expert compliments her skills, and the second one is confident that with such a player England can win the World Cup, and she has not even reached her peak. The third guest is Jess’ mother, Mrs. Bhamra. She is not proud of Jess because she believes Jess brings shame on the family by exposing her bare legs. Mrs. Bhamra looks at the camera and orders Jess to return home.

Going shopping

Mrs. Bhamra comes into Jess’s room while she is watching football on TV and tells her to come downstairs because her sister is getting engaged. Jess talks to her poster of David Beckham on the wall saying she is already sick of her sister’s upcoming wedding. 

Downstairs, Jess’s sister, Pinky, complains that someone else will wear baby pink at her wedding so now she has to change Jess’s outfit. Jess is not happy that she has to go shopping again.

In the shops, Pinky looks at several dresses while Jess stands by. Pinky meets several friends. She asks one of the girls about her blue contact lenses. As Pinky and Jess leave the shop, Pinky complains to Jess that now she cannot wear her blue contact lenses because she will no longer stand out.

Meanwhile, Jules is shopping for bras with her mother. Jules’ mother wants to buy her a fancy bra. However, Jules prefers sports bras. 

Jess and Pinky meet Jess’ friend, Tony, and his mother. Tony’s mother asks if everything is ready for the engagement ceremony tomorrow. She hopes Tony will one day have a good wife like Pinky. Tony is embarrassed by this. Pinky says goodbye, but Tony asks Jess several questions about their Biology tests. Then he asks her if she will go to the park later.

Playing football

Jess walks through the park with her shopping bag. Tony runs up to her and asks her to join a football game. Jess says her mother is waiting but is quickly persuaded to join the game. Jules is running through the park, and she stops to watch Jess p...