Rob Madge and Pippa Cleary’s Bank of Dave musical to receive world premiere

A new musical based on the real-life story of Dave Fishwick will premiere next year.

The self-made Burnley businessman is the subject of Bank of Dave, which features a book by WhatsOnStage Award winner Rob Madge and music by Pippa Cleary (The Great British Bake Off Musical), with lyrics by the duo.

Based on the BAFTA Award-winning documentary, best-selling book, and hit film, with a screenplay by Piers Ashworth, the new musical is set to be directed by Curve’s artistic director, Nikolai Foster.

Madge recently wrapped up their time as the Emcee in the hit revival of Cabaret in the West End.

Fishwick said: “This all feels very surreal! I left school at 16, absolutely useless with no qualifications whatsoever. I started work on a building site as a builder’s labourer, and went from builder’s labourer to building the first new high street building for 150 years in Britain.

“Then Hollywood turned up, not just once but twice! And now the magical world of theatre has arrived; from Burnley to Broadway – via the magnificent Lowry in Salford and Curve in Leicester, first of course! Watching myself on telly was unbelievable; however, watching someone play me live on stage will be totally surreal. I am just an ordinary lad from Burnley, who does extraordinary things, and if I can make it happen, you can too! Always have the courage to follow your dreams!”

WhatsOnStage has been at the launch of the musical, so look out for content in the coming days!

Madge commented: “A couple of years ago, Pippa Cleary and I were asked to turn Dave Fishwick’s inspirational story into a musical (I know! You weren’t expecting that, were you? But, much like Miss Saigon, Dave too has a helicopter, so a musical seemed a natural fit). Safe to say, it has been nothing short of a joy. I am deeply proud to be telling this special tale of community, hope and perseverance. In a world that seems more fractured every day, I am so thrilled to be offering an alternative where our Dave and his brilliant company of players can help mend the broken pieces. As he himself would say, rule number one: never give up. Rule number two: never, ever give up.”

Cleary concluded: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be developing this brand-new musical with the amazing Rob Madge. The whole process has been filled with laughter and a real sense of purpose, just like Dave’s story itself. Writing these songs has been such a joy, capturing the humour, grit and heart that makes this tale so uniquely British. We’ve had an absolute blast bringing Dave’s fight for fairness to life, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it for themselves next year”

Bank of Dave will have its world premiere at the Lowry from 2 to 16 May 2026 before moving to Curve from 20 to 30 May 2026.

The musical is produced by ROYO, Future Artists Entertainment, Curve and Lowry. Katie Lander is the consultant for Finestripe Productions.