Bank of Dave Musical Enters Rehearsals Ahead of World Premiere at The Lowry

Exciting rehearsal room images have emerged from the upcoming Bank of Dave musical, which is gearing up for its highly anticipated world premiere later this spring. Based on the remarkable real-life story of self-made Burnley businessman Dave Fishwick, who famously took on the established banking system to set up a community bank in his hometown, this new stage adaptation is shaping up to be one of the most exciting new musicals of 2026.

The production brings together a stellar creative team and an impressive cast, translating a story already beloved through its BAFTA Award-winning documentary, best-selling book, and hit Netflix film into a fully fledged musical theatre experience. With rehearsals now well underway, here is everything you need to know about the show.

A Story That Captured the Nation's Heart

Dave Fishwick's journey from a Burnley-based minibus salesman to a man who successfully challenged the UK's banking establishment captured national attention and has been told across multiple formats. The documentary chronicling his efforts earned a BAFTA Award, while the subsequent book became a bestseller. The 2023 Netflix film, starring Rory Kinnear and Joel Fry with a screenplay by Piers Ashworth, introduced Fishwick's underdog story to an even wider global audience. Now, the tale of community spirit, determination, and standing up to powerful institutions is making the leap to the stage.

At its core, the story follows Fishwick's quest to establish the Bank of Dave in Burnley, lending money to ordinary people turned away by the big banks. His battle against bureaucracy, scepticism, and entrenched financial power makes for inherently dramatic and uplifting material, perfectly suited to the musical theatre format.

The Creative Team Behind the Musical

The book for Bank of Dave has been written by Rob Madge, a WhatsOnStage Award winner who has become one of the most exciting young voices in British theatre. Madge's unique perspective and flair for heartfelt storytelling promise to bring warmth and wit to the adaptation. The music is composed by Pippa Cleary, known for her work on The Great British Bake Off Musical, with lyrics co-written by Madge and Cleary together.

Directing the production is Nikolai Foster, the artistic director of Curve in Leicester. Foster has built a formidable reputation for staging large-scale musicals and new work, making him a natural fit for a show that combines spectacle with a deeply personal narrative. His involvement signals serious ambitions for the production, and his track record suggests audiences can expect a polished, emotionally resonant staging.

The wider creative team is equally impressive. Choreography comes from Ebony Molina, while Amy Jane Cook handles set and costume design. Musical supervision is by Toby Higgins, with orchestrations by Tom Curran. The technical design team includes Ben Cracknell on lighting, Tom Marshall on sound, and Duncan McLean on video design. Casting was led by Harry Blumenau, and the production also features associate direction by Ollie Khurshid and James Robert Moore, associate choreography by Dale White, musical direction by Matthew Jackson, and production management by Chris Easton.

Meet the Cast

Leading the company as Dave Fishwick is Sam Lupton, who takes on the considerable challenge of bringing this larger-than-life real person to the stage. Lupton will need to capture both Fishwick's irrepressible Northern charm and the steely determination that drove him to take on the entire UK banking system.

Joining Lupton is Hayley Tamaddon as Nicky, a name familiar to television audiences from her roles in Coronation Street and Emmerdale, as well as from her appearances on Dancing on Ice. Her crossover appeal could be a significant draw for audiences. Lucca Chadwick-Patel takes on the role of Hugh, while the legendary Claire Moore, celebrated for her extensive West End career including iconic roles in The Phantom of the Opera, plays Maureen. Lauryn Redding rounds out the principal cast as Alex.

Samuel Holmes takes on the dual role of Sir Charles Denbigh and David H, likely representing the establishment figures and antagonists of the piece. The ensemble features a rich array of talent: Zachary Willis as Danny/Andy, Mark Peachey as Cher/Clarence, Joni Ayton-Kent as Megan/Mary, Adam Colbeck-Dunn as Marco, Hannah Nuttall as Mavis, Rosie Strobel as Barbara, Minal Patel as Ali, Elliot Broadfoot as Omari, Althea Burey as Betty, and Jhanaica Van Mook as Claire.

Where and When to See Bank of Dave

The world premiere of Bank of Dave will take place at The Lowry in Salford, running from 2 to 16 May 2026. This Manchester venue is a fitting launchpad for a show rooted in the North of England, giving Northern audiences the first opportunity to experience the production.

The show will then transfer to Curve in Leicester, where it runs from 20 to 30 May 2026. Given Nikolai Foster's role as Curve's artistic director, this venue represents something of a home stage for the production, and audiences can expect it to be presented in the best possible conditions in Curve's state-of-the-art auditorium.

The musical is produced by ROYO, Future Artists Entertainment, Curve, and Lowry, with Katie Lander acting as consultant for Finestripe Productions. The involvement of both presenting theatres as co-producers suggests a deep institutional commitment to the show's success and potentially signals ambitions for a longer life beyond these initial runs.

Could Bank of Dave Head to the West End?

While no West End transfer has been announced, the pedigree of the creative team, the profile of the source material, and the commercial producing partners involved all suggest that a London run could be on the cards if the regional premiere proves successful. Stories with broad popular appeal, built-in name recognition, and a feel-good factor have historically translated well to the West End. The Netflix film gave the Bank of Dave story international visibility, and a stage musical version could tap into audiences who already love the tale.

Moreover, the current West End landscape is hungry for original British musicals with strong regional identities. Shows that celebrate communities outside of London have found warm receptions in recent years, and Bank of Dave's proudly Northern heart could be a significant asset. The combination of Rob Madge's writing talent, Pippa Cleary's melodic instincts, and Nikolai Foster's directorial vision makes this a production worth watching closely.

Should You Book?

If you are a fan of the Bank of Dave story in any of its previous incarnations, or simply love feel-good musicals with a real heart, this world premiere is well worth securing tickets for. Regional premieres of ambitious new musicals are always exciting events, offering the chance to see a show in its earliest incarnation before it potentially grows into something much larger. The creative team is first-rate, the cast is packed with talent, and the source material is as inspiring as it gets.

With runs at both The Lowry and Curve spanning just a few weeks each, demand could be high. Booking early is strongly recommended, particularly for weekend performances.

For more on the latest new musicals coming to stages across the UK, browse our full list of upcoming shows. You can also explore all the latest musicals currently booking and catch up on all our theatre news and features.