Bank of Dave musical at the Lowry – review

Is this the new musical we have all been waiting for? The quintessentially British tale of a rags-to-riches white van man from Burnley, who takes on the posh old boys clubs of the banking elite, is not an obvious West End or Broadway crowd-pleaser. Yet, Bank of Dave is delightfully ebullient and this charming tale is as hard to resist as pie, chips and gravy.

Based on the true story of working-class businessman and community hero Dave Fishwick, the show follows one man taking on Britain’s banking establishment with little more than stubbornness, hope, and the sort of northern grit that built the mills that once flourished in so many northern towns. It could easily have lapsed into sentimental soapbox territory, but instead, this musical has real warmth and humour, and the characters are well drawn and believable.

The score barrels along with infectious enthusiasm, blending pub-singalong energy with heartfelt ballads. There are songs that thump like a Friday night in a working men’s club and quieter moments that sneak up unexpectedly, landing with surprising emotional precision. They breeze through the narrative naturally, ensuring the pacing is always on point and emotionally resonant.

The production’s greatest triumph lies in its refusal to sneer at ordinary kindness. In lesser hands, the local people might have become northern caricatures, but instead, they feel richly lived-in. The ensemble cast buzzes through the show like worker bees with a shared vision, utterly committed to creating a community you would genuinely like to meet in the bar after the show.

The staging cleverly balances intimacy with spectacle. The set shifts fluidly between Burnley streets, boardrooms, and bustling local pubs, all underscored by choreography that favours exuberance over polish. It occasionally resembles a wedding disco where everyone unexpectedly knows the counts, but that rough-edged joy becomes part of the show’s appeal. Not every dance routine lands cleanly, yet the production has such generous spirit that perfection would almost feel suspicious.

At the centre is a performance of enormous cordiality with Sam Lupton as the eponymous Dave himself. Charismatic and funny without drifting into saintly saccharine, this portrayal wisely leans into his vulnerability and personal values. This is less a story about a superhero banker slayer and more about a man refusing to accept that decency and common sense should be considered radical and unfeasible.

Hayley Tamaddon delivers a perfectly pitched performance as wife Nicky, and Lucca Chadwick-Patel charms as the London lawyer who has his own journey of self-discovery. There are moments where the script may reach for easy emotional shortcuts with its depiction of the banking villains, especially as they appear flanked by some tap-dancing pigs! However, Samuel Holmes as Sir Charles is deliciously suave, oozing contempt for anyone attempting to change the status quo.

Bank of Dave may not reinvent musical theatre, but it reminds us that stories about community, fairness, and compassion still matter. In today’s political climate, that feels quietly and comfortingly revolutionary.