New musical adaptation of Fat Boy Swim to tour next year

Visible Fictions will tour Fat Boy Swim, a new musical adapted from Cathy Forde’s novel, across Scotland in January and February 2027.

The production follows Jimmy as he navigates his weight, bullying at school and relationships at home. Its soundtrack combines contemporary music with 1990s influences, drawing on indie folk and melodic songwriting.

Forde has written the book and lyrics, with music and additional lyrics by Michael John McCarthy. Dougie Irvine directs the production.

Forde said: “It has been a fascinating experience to adapt my novel. To get the opportunity to revisit characters and interrogate them all again has been a joy and a challenge.

“I think it works because the characters are strong and believable (and analysing them with Dougie Irvine has ensured they are even stronger and more believable than they are in the novel) and the broad themes of the novel still chime. All the characters harbour either secrets or desires and wishes they cannot express so song provides the perfect medium for revelation. I am beyond excited that Jimmy’s story will come alive in 2027.”