BANK OF DAVE THE MUSICAL PRESS LAUNCH | THE LOWRY | 22/09/2025

Sarah Monaghan
Sep 28
3 min read

Updated: Sep 30

Blue poster for "Bank of Dave: The Musical" with bold gold letters and text "It's David vs. Goliath (but you can call him Dave)."

BANK OF DAVE A MUSICAL WITH HEART, HUMOUR, AND NORTHERN GRIT

On Monday 22nd September 2025, The Lowry’s Compass Room was buzzing with excitement for the official press launch of Bank of Dave The Musical. Hosted by Michelle Eagleton, the event offered theatre fans and press a first glimpse at a brand-new British musical inspired by the extraordinary true story of Burnley businessman Dave Fishwick — the man who took on the fat cats of London’s banking world by starting his very own community bank.

Before the presentations began, guests were treated to a true Northern welcome with bacon and sausage baps, tea, coffee, and juice — setting the tone for an event brimming with warmth, humour, and heart.

The show will premiere at The Lowry, Salford (2–16 May 2026) before transferring to Curve, Leicester (20–30 May 2026).

Bank Of Dave The Musical Press Launch - Two people smiling and speaking into microphones onstage. One wears pink, holding a "LOVED" sign. Musicians and city view behind.

THE TRUE-ISH TALE

Based on the Sunday Times best-selling book, BAFTA Award-winning documentary, and Netflix film, Bank of Dave The Musical tells what Fishwick affectionately calls the “true-ish” story of his mission to set up a community bank in Burnley.

As Fishwick has described the show:

“It’s the humour of The Full Monty with the spirit of Billy Elliot – but with a few more ba*tard bankers, and an unlikely hero from Burnley!”*

Bank Of Dave The Musical Press Launch - Five people sing into microphones on stage; one plays guitar. A large screen with "The Bank of Dave Musical" text is in the background.

SONGS THAT PACK A PUNCH

The press launch featured live performances of three new songs from the show, each giving a taste of the heart, grit, and fun to come:

🎶 Bank of Dave – An upbeat early number where Dave pitches his idea to London lawyer Hugh. Rob Madge explained:

“This song comes quite early in the show where Dave meets posh London lawyer Hugh, who’s travelled past the M25 for the first time in his life, and Dave has to pitch his idea of this new bank to him.”

🎶 Nowt to Lose – Introduced by composer Pippa Cleary and performed at the launch by her, this touching ballad is sung in the show by Maureen, landlady of The Talbot pub. Cleary described it as:

“A beautiful song about her husband, Roy – and a real moment of warmth and community in the story.”

🎶 The Mill – A rousing anthem that closed the event, capturing the struggles of Northern working life while building to a powerful, hopeful call for change.

Bank Of Dave The Musical Press Launch - A woman in a green dress plays keyboard and sings into a mic. A drummer and guitar player accompany her. Bright windows in background.

DAVE FISHWICK ON SEEING HIS LIFE TURNED INTO A MUSICAL

The man of the hour admitted how surreal it felt to see his life turned into theatre:

“There’s one thing about when you’re on telly and you see somebody playing you in a movie – that’s weird. But to see somebody on stage singing about your life? That’s another level.”

Fishwick also emphasised why it was so important that the show premieres in the North:

“It had to start here because that’s where it all began. Without my wife Nikki and my Burnley team, it would never have happened.”

Bank Of Dave The Musical Press Launch - Four people seated with microphones discuss on stage; a woman in pink, a man in plaid, a woman in green, and a man in camouflage. Behind, musicians play.

MEET THE DREAM TEAM

The musical brings together a powerhouse creative line-up:

Book & Lyrics: Rob Madge (My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?), Cabaret)
Music & Lyrics: Pippa Cleary (The Great British Bake Off Musical, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾)
Director: Nikolai Foster (Kinky Boots, A Chorus Line, Artistic Director of Curve)
Based on a screenplay by: Piers Ashworth (Bank of Dave film)
Producers: ROYO, Future Artists Entertainment, Curve, and The Lowry, with Katie Lander for Finestripe Productions

Nikolai Foster summed up the project beautifully:

“It has such a quirky, anarchic, individual voice. It’s British, working-class, and full of heart. My job is simply to serve the story so audiences can connect with it. This musical is entertainment with purpose – it makes us laugh but also think about our communities and the difference we can make.”

Bank Of Dave The Musical Press Launch - Four people smile on a balcony with a cityscape in the background, including MediaCityUK. They wear casual and formal attire.

Why Bank of Dave is One to Watch

From heartfelt ballads to laugh-out-loud moments, the Bank of Dave press launch proved that this musical will be packed with community spirit, Northern pride, and unstoppable charm. With Dave Fishwick himself cheering from the front row, a stellar creative team behind the scenes, and songs that already feel like instant hits, this world premiere promises to be one of the must-see musicals of 2026.

✨ From Burnley to Broadway (via Salford and Leicester), the “Barnum of Burnley” is coming to the stage — and you won’t want to miss it. ✨

🎟 TICKETS

The Lowry, Salford (2–16 May 2026): Book Tickets
Curve, Leicester (20–30 May 2026): Tickets on general sale from 7 October 2025 via Curve Online