Bend It Like Beckham, the film that made a Keira Knightley a star, is now being brought to the stage as a musical.

Gurinder Chadha who originally brought it to the big screen will return to direct the new version, with original music by Howard Goodall and lyrics by Charles Hart.

Natalie Dew, who has appeared in Lewis and Gavin and Stacey, will play Jess, who is facing 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.

She makes friends with footballing teammate Jules, played by Lauren Samuels, who was a finalist in television talent search Over the Rainbow; but things get complicated when she gets closer to their coach Joe, played by English actor Jamie Campbell Bower, who has starred in the Twilight films and Sweeney Todd.

Jess hides her new footballing life from her family, apart from big sister Pinky, played by former EastEnders actress Preeya Kalidas, who she enlists to help her cover her tracks.

Gurinder says: “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.

Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0JP, from May 15. Details: benditlikebeckhamthemusical.co.uk