Hayley Tammadon has a few words of advice for anyone preparing to come along to one of the big theatrical experiences of the year.
The former Emmerdale and Coronation Street star who has gone on to enjoy West End success will play Nicky Fishwick in Bank of Dave the Musical which has its world premiere at the Lowry next month.
“If people come with no expectations they are going to be amazed,” she said. “I would say don’t come expecting a replica of the film, it isn’t going to be like that. Come with an open heart and an open mind and just be ready to laugh – and cry, potentially.”
Bank of Dave the Musical is based on the life of Dave Fishwick, the Burnley businessman turned financial guru who took on the banks by setting up Burnley Savings and Loan.
It’s the ultimate rags to riches story which has already spawned a documentary, two Netflix movies and a best seller.
But the musical - written by Rob Madge and with songs by Pippa Cleary - promises to take the story to a new level.
“The show is bonkers in the best way you could possibly imagine,” said Hayley who has been involved in the project from the very first workshop. “You aways know at the workshop stage whether something is going to work or not. From the minute we first read it through and sang some of the songs I knew. When we broke for lunch I had the songs running round in my head songs; that’s just never happened before.
“As we have gone on it has become more and more magical.”
Hayley has loved the challenge of playing a real-life person in the show rather than a fictional character.
“I was thrilled to play Nicky,” she said. “l’ve met her and she is a wonderful woman and the backbone of Dave Fishwick. They have both said to me at various times without Nicky there is no Dave so for me to portray that part of her and bring her to the forefront is something special.
“Because Dave is such a huge personality you tend to forget the person behind him, who is guiding him along and pushing him and that is his wife.
“For me to be able to portray this is wonderful. She wears the trousers, she is the boss. She believes in him every step of the way; she will always be the first person to back him.”
Both Dave and Nicky have been part of bringing the show to the stage, attending a number of the rehearsals.
“I think we were all a bit nervous and wanted to see what their reactions would be but they were so enthralled and enjoying everybody’s performance which was just so beautiful,” she said. “They were sat holding hands the during the read through which was so sweet - and they loved it.”
Bank of Dave the Musical promises to be a bit of a love letter to the North.
“Wherever you come from you will enjoy the show but it is a very northern show,” said Blackpool-born Hayley. “It’s very working class, a beautiful multi-cultural show that is about real people. You’ll see people in this show either representing you or someone that you know and that doesn’t happen too often in the theatre at the moment.
“It’s full of heart and has a very funny text and memorable songs you will want to sing. It’s full of humour but full of passion and love and community. Sadly we’re lacking that sense of community in the world today but that’s what this show is about.”
The local pub is the focal point for many of the characters, reinforcing that community spirit.
“The local used to be where everyone would meet at the end of the day and grumble about life,” laughed Hayley. “We’ve lost that community identity today but in the show it’s very much at the heart of things and it’s something audiences will relate to.”
Sam Lupton, who played Del Boy in Only Fools and Horse in the West End will play Dave Fishwick and Hayley is delighted to be working with him as her on-stage husband.
“Even in the first rehearsal when I closed my eyes, Sam was Dave Fishwick,” she said. “He’s such a clever performer and a real joy to work with. I know people will be waiting to see how he captures Dave but, honestly he will shock you, he’s brilliant.”
You can tell that even before it has its glittering opening night at the Lowry, Hayley believes that Bank of Dave the Musical is something special.
“It’s a very real show in many ways,” she said. “Of course it’s a musical and a heightened theatrical experience but the characters are ones that everyone can relate to.
“And it is packed with belly laughs. I read my mum some of the script and she said ‘this is just so funny, I want to come and watch it’. That’s the reaction you want.
“I think that in over 30 years of being an actor this is the first time I have originated a role which is really quite special. Rob and Pippa were so wonderful to work with and so open to suggestions in rehearsal.
“They were even willing to change the key to a song to fit around my voice which is so unusual.”
Hayley is so happy the production will be getting its world premiere at the Lowry rather than originating in the West End.
“It’s 100 per cent where it should be,” she said. “I love that theatre so much, I’ve done a number of shows there and the audiences are always so great.
“Who knows what will happen, you can never predict, but this is just the beginning for this musical.”
Bank of Dave the Musical is at the Lowry, Salford Quays from Saturday, May 2 to Saturday, May 16. Details from www.thelowry.com
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