Rob Madge and Pippa Cleary bring Bank of Dave to the stage in 2026

Rob Madge and Pippa Cleary bring Bank of Dave to the stage in 2026

22-09-25

The banks may not always say yes, but the theatre certainly has. The world premiere of Bank of Dave the Musical will open in May 2026, playing Salford’s Lowry (2–16 May) before heading to Leicester’s Curve (20–30 May).

Based on the Sunday Times best-selling book, the BAFTA Award-winning documentary, and the hit Netflix film, the show will tell the “true-ish” story of Dave Fishwick — the Burnley-born entrepreneur who set up his own community bank and took on the City. Expect northern grit, laugh-out-loud humour and, in Dave’s words, “the best songs in any musical ever.”

The creative team brings some serious theatre sparkle. Book and lyrics come from Rob Madge (My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?), Cabaret), music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary (The Great British Bake Off Musical, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾), and direction by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (Kinky Boots, A Chorus Line). Casting and further creatives will be announced in due course.

Fishwick himself says: “From Burnley to Broadway — via Salford and Leicester first of course! Watching myself on telly was unbelievable; watching someone play me live on stage will be surreal. I’m just an ordinary lad from Burnley, who does extraordinary things, and if I can make it happen, you can too.”

Bank of Dave the Musical follows Dave’s journey from working as a builder’s labourer to creating the first new high street bank in Britain for 150 years. With principled lawyer Hugh at his side, Dave takes his fight from Burnley to London, facing off against the fat cats of the financial world. It’s an underdog story with the humour of The Full Monty and the spirit of Billy Elliot, but with more bankers standing in the way.

For Rob Madge, the project is about more than just satire: “I am deeply proud to be telling this tale of community, hope and perseverance. In a world that seems more fractured every day, I am thrilled to offer an alternative where Dave and his brilliant company can help mend the broken pieces. Rule number 1: never give up. Rule number 2: never, ever give up.”

Pippa Cleary agrees: “Writing these songs has been 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.”

Produced by ROYO, Future Artists Entertainment, Curve and Lowry, Bank of Dave the Musical promises to be a feel-good show about fairness, community and following your dreams. Tickets go on sale 24 September for the Lowry, and 7 October for Curve.

Ger more details from the official site HERE