He Shoots, He Scores! Jamie Muscato Boards London's Bend It Like Beckham

Goal! Jamie Muscato will join the cast of London's Bend It Like Beckham on December 14 as coach Joe, taking over for Jamie Campbell Bower in the role. Natalie Dew and Lauren Samuels will continue as as Jess and Jules, respectively. Directed by Gurinder Chadha, the musical comedy is playing at the West End's Phoenix Theatre.

Muscato’s theater credits include Sweeney Todd, House of Mirrors and Hearts, Dogfight, The Light Princess, Rock of Ages, Blitz, Love Story, Les Miserables, Spring Awakening and Lift. On screen appearances include Les Miserables, The Euphoria of Drowning, Wild Oats, Cilla and My Parents Are Aliens.

The production features music by Howard Goodall, lyrics by Phantom's Charles Hart and a book by Paul Mayeda Berges and Chadha. Bend It Like Beckham is based on Chadha’s 2002 film, starring Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. The movie follows Jess as she faces the most important decision of her life; live up to family expectations of university, career and marriage, or follow in the footsteps of her hero David Beckham. When the talented teenage footballer is spotted playing football in Southall, a world of opportunities opens up before her. But as the day of her sister's traditional Indian wedding approaches, she needs to pick sides.

The cast also includes Sophie-Louise Dann, Jamal Andréas, Preeya Kalidas, Tony Jayawardena and Natasha Jayetileke.