Most new musicals seem to be jukebox musicals or musicals based on films. But the next musical to launch in Greater Manchester is, in fact, a biographical musical. Bank of Dave – based on the book, documentary and films of the same name – tells the true-ish story of Burnley-born businessman Dave Fishwick. We attended the exclusive launch event at Lowry, Salford where the musical will launch next year, ahead of a season at Curve, Leicester.
Whilst most new musicals that launch in Manchester play at Opera House Manchester, Lowry get their fair share of premieres. Dear England recently had its regional premiere there, Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile begins its tour there next week, and Operation Mincemeat, which began its life at Lowry’s studios, will kick of its first-ever UK tour there next year. It’s meaningful that a musical about a Lancastrian legend will premiere at, arguably, the most iconic theatre in (historic) Lancashire. It’s extra special for me because Dave is from my town!
This feel-good show tells the true-ish story of Dave Fishwick: Burnley born and bred, and no ordinary man. A self-made millionaire, Dave spent years helping local people and small businesses when hard-nosed banks turned them away. Frustrated by the system, he has an idea… set up his own bank and put the profits straight back into his community.
With posh but principled lawyer Hugh at his side, Dave swaps Burnley for London to take on the banking bigwigs and fight for a fairer deal. But will the fat cats of the City make way for Dave’s dreams?
The launch event, hosted by local presenter Michelle Eagleton in Lowry’s gorgeous Compass Room, began with a performance of the title number, which I believe opens the show. Michelle then interviewed Fishwick himself before composer and co-lyricist Pippa Cleary performed a ballad by a woman who works in a pub (she told us that she was not going to attempt a Northern accent because she would offend everybody). Michelle then interviewed Cleary alongside her frequent collaborators, writer and co-lyricist Rob Madge and director Nikolai Foster (the Artistic Director of Curve). The event closed with the number that closes Act I: ‘Do You Hear the Mill?’
Fishwick 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 builder’s labourer, and went from builder’s labourer to building the first new high street building for 150 years in Britain.
“Then Hollywood turned up, not just once but twice! And now the magical world of theatre has arrived; from Burnley to Broadway – via the magnificent Lowry in Salford and Curve in Leicester, first of course! 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!”
Madge said: “A couple of years ago, Pippa Cleary and I were asked to turn Dave Fishwick’s inspirational story into a musical (I know! You weren’t expecting that, were you? But, much like Miss Saigon, Dave too has a helicopter, so a musical seemed a natural fit). 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. As he himself would say, rule number one: never give up. Rule number two: never, ever give up.”
Cleary 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”
Bank of Dave will premiere at Lowry, Salford from May 2 to 16 before transferring to Curve, Leicester from May 20 to 30.
Photo: Jay Darcy @ JaDar
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