Fighting With My Family to be adapted into stage musical

Fighting With My Family is being developed into a stage musical.

The 2019 film directed and written by Stephen Merchant is based on the true story of WWE superstar Paige. In the coming-of-age story, Saraya Knight (aka Paige) is an outsider raised in the chaotic but loving British wrestling dynasty. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes her from Norwich to America’s WWE, where she must confront who she really is without her family in her corner. Paige was played by Florence Pugh in the film, which also starred Dwayne Johnson.

For the stage, the musical will have a book and lyrics by Olivier Award-winning playwright Jon Brittain, music and lyrics by Brit Award-winning songwriter Miranda Cooper and music by Ivor Novello-nominated Nick Coler.

Merchant said: “When we were making the film, I always thought of it like a musical: a young woman from the ‘chorus line’ fighting to get her big break, surrounded by theatrical, larger-than-life characters and huge sweeping emotions.”

He added: “I approached each wrestling match like it was a different dance number, building to a big show-stopping finale. Seeing the film reimagined for the stage feels like the natural next step. The team have captured the humour, grit and heart of the story in a way that feels both faithful to the film and completely fresh.”

Johnson commented that Fighting With My Family feels well-suited for the stage: “It’s packed with personal emotion expressed through the dynamic world of wrestling, which has always been about storytelling and connecting with a live audience. Working with Stephen Merchant on the film was a truly special experience, and his brilliant work deserves this new act. As it comes to life musically, I have no doubt it will be an absolute blast for theatregoers.”

Fighting With My Family is the first musical to be developed and produced by Tilted Musicals, in collaboration with Seven Bucks Productions (co-founded by Johnson and Dany Garcia), Merchant, Kevin Misher and Birmingham Hippodrome.

Closed workshops will take place this year before a public presentation in 2027, with further details to be announced in due course.