“If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s this: everybody hates bankers.” 

Our editor often calls himself ‘Bank of Dave’ at the pub, because to be fair, he probably does get the most rounds in for the team, but hey, this isn’t about him.

A new stage musical telling the inspiring story of businessman Dave Fishwick will premiere this spring at Curve Leicester, with producers announcing the first members of the cast.

Bank of Dave the Musical is based on the Sunday Times best-selling book, BAFTA Award-winning documentary and global-hit Netflix film of the same name with a screenplay by Piers Ashworth. 

The production brings the entrepreneur’s remarkable story to the stage in what producers describe as a “home-grown British musical packed with heart, humour and northern grit.”

Former Emmerdale and Coronation Street star Hayley Tamaddon, pictured, above, will play Nicky, while Lucca Chadwick-Patel, whose theatre credits include Mean Girls at the Savoy Theatre, will take on the role of Hugh.

They will be joined by Claire Moore, known for her performances in Miss Saigon and The Girls, who will play Maureen, and Lauryn Redding, who has appeared in Standing at the Sky’s Edge in the West End, as Alex.

Producers say further casting – including the role of Dave himself – will be announced at a later date.

The musical features a book and lyrics by Rob Madge, whose work includes My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?), with music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary, composer of The Great British Bake Off Musical. It will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, whose previous productions include Kinky Boots and A Chorus Line.

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? 

WHEN: Wednesday, May 20 to Saturday, May 30.
WHERE: Curve Leicester. To find out more and book tickets, visit www.curveonline.co.uk, call 0116 242 3595 or visit Curve’s Box Office in-person.