You’ve read the book, seen the TV shows and loved the films; now the remarkable story of the Burnley businessman who took on the banking world is to be the basis for a new musical.
Bank of Dave The Musical will have its world premiere at the Lowry in Salford in May next year.
This brand-new British musical will have a book and lyrics by Rob Madge, music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary and will be directed by Nikolai Foster, artistic director at the Curve in Leicester whose previous smash hits have included Kinky Boots, Billy Elliot and A Chorus Line.
The musical tells the incredible story of Dave Fishwick, who left school without any qualifications yet became a self-made millionaire. Frustrated at seeing friends, colleagues and local businesses being turned down by the High Street banks, he decided to do something about it - creating Burnley Savings and Loan in 2011.
Dave said: “This all feels very surreal! I left school at 16, absolutely useless with no qualifications whatsoever. I started work on a building site as a builders’ labourer, and went from builders’ labourer to building the first new high street bank for 150 years in Britain.
“Then Hollywood turned up, not just once but twice! And now the magical world of theatre has arrived.
“Watching myself on telly was unbelievable; however, watching someone play me live on stage will be totally surreal.
“I am just an ordinary lad from Burnley, who does extraordinary things, and if I can make it happen, you can too!
“Always have the courage to follow your dreams!”
Rob Madge said: “A couple of years ago Pippa Cleary and I were asked to turn Dave Fishwick’s inspirational story into a musical.
“Safe to say, it has been nothing short of a joy. I am deeply proud to be telling this special tale of community, hope and perseverance.
“In a world that seems more fractured every day, I am so thrilled to be offering an alternative where our Dave and his brilliant company of players can help mend the broken pieces.”
Pippa Cleary, whose work includes the West End hit The Great British Bake Off Musical, said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be developing this brand-new musical with the amazing Rob Madge.
“The whole process has been filled with laughter and a real sense of purpose, just like Dave’s story itself. Writing these songs has been such a joy, capturing the humour, grit and heart that makes this tale so uniquely British.
“We’ve had an absolute blast bringing Dave’s fight for fairness to life, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it for themselves next year.”
Dave Fishwick’s story saw streaming giant Netflix commission two films in which Rory Kinnear played the Burnley entrepreneur. They are among the most watched programmes on the streaming service and are movies the most successful British independent films in Netflix history.
Dave’s many TV series include Secret Millions the award-winning Loan Ranger looking at payday loan companies. He is now a familiar face as a business and money expert on GMB and This Morning and regularly appears on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4 and 5Live.
Bank of Dave the Musical will be at the Lowry from May 2 to 16 before moving on to Leicester Curve from May 20 to 30.
Casting for the show will be announced at a later date.
Tickets for the Lowry go on sale today. Details from www.thelowry.com
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