23 September 2025
Newsdesk
The inspirational true story of Dave Fishwick, the self-made millionaire who took on London's banking elite, is set to become a stage musical. The world premiere of Bank of Dave The Musical will open in May 2026, with performances at The Lowry in Salford and Curve in Leicester.
The production is based on the popular Sunday Times best-selling book, BAFTA-winning documentary, and the global-hit Netflix film of the same name. The musical will feature a book and lyrics by Rob Madge (My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?)) and music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary (The Great British Bake Off Musical). The show will be directed by Curve's Artistic Director Nikolai Foster.
The musical tells the true-ish story of Dave Fishwick, a Burnley native who, frustrated by the banking system, decided to open his own bank to support local people and businesses. With the help of a principled lawyer, he sets out to challenge the powerful "fat cats of the City" and fight for a fairer financial system.
Dave Fishwick himself expressed his excitement, calling the journey "surreal." He remarked on his path from a builders' laborer with no qualifications to building the first new high street bank in 150 years and now seeing his life story adapted for the stage. "From Burnley to Broadway," he joked, "via the magnificent Lowry in Salford and Curve in Leicester first of course!"
The musical is being hailed as a feel-good show filled with "northern grit, laugh-out-loud humour," and a message of hope and perseverance. Tickets for The Lowry are on sale now, with tickets for Curve available from October 7.
