Dave's banking on stage success

Dave Fishwick took centre stage at the announcement of the world premier of 'Bank of Dave The Musical'.

The feel-good 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 show will open next year between May 2 and 16 at the Lowry in Salford and at the Curve in Leicester between May 20 and 30 respectively.

The show tells the true-ish story of Dave about being frustrated by the system, he had the idea of setting up his own bank.

With a posh but principled lawyer by his side, he swaps Burnley for London to take on the banking big players and fight for a fairer deal.

Talking about his life being turned into two films and now a musical, Dave 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 labourer to moving on to building the first new high street bank 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 is on another level. 

"I am just an ordinary lad from Burnley, who does extraordinary things, and if I can make it happen, you can too.

"Always have courage to follow your dreams."

Dave says his story has come so far since he tried to create something that really helped people.

He said: "I wanted to build a community bank run by the people to benefit the people rather than the bonus culture.

"I wanted to tell the 'Granny' about the best interest, and I wanted to lend that money to people and businesses who couldn't borrow from high street bank through no fault of their own.

"After that and all their rents were paid, I thought we'll give the money to charity and currently we're currently feeding 650 children every morning.

"There have been 57 people working on this in two years and spent £2m to get to where it is now but something really important was to have it in the North of England first.

"It will go to the West End but it has to start in the North because that is where it all started.

"If it was not for my team at Burnley Savings and Loans, it would not have happened.

"And also without my wife Nicky, it would not be possible. That is the most important decision you ever make in your life is the one, who you choose to become your partner, your wife or spouse."

Speaking about the musical, Dave added: "The songs are lovely, the cast is amazing and the people who made it have a real heart.

"All the team who have been involved in some of the biggest musicals in the world - here and on Broadway - have come together to make something special.

"I've said to them I want people to walk away to think that if Dave can do it then I can do it too.

"It is about getting people to believe in themselves. It seems like the Full Monty, Billy Elliot or the David v Goliath tale. This story is true."

Dave says that business flows in his DNA.

He said: "I have six businesses and most people think I sell buses and I do.

"But the biggest of the businesses is in America. I have an investment company there that I have had for a long time.

"We are also into property, investments, vehicle sales, leasing, media company and a financial institution and it runs through everything I do.

"The movies were filmed in my house in Burnley and across the North of England and was premiered in Burnley too.

"It was the first time a premier was outside Leicester Square for Netflix. It made the headlines around the world and the global press will come to the musical and love that too."

Dave says it is the 'most wonderful feeling' helping people and his profile is a springboard for representing concerns of businesses too.

He said: "It has allowed me to have a voice to government, ministers and MPs.

"I was talking to a wonderful MP about businesses needing access to cash.

"I did a piece for ITV News earlier this year about the loan sharks and it had 21m views on YouTube alone. 

"If businesses don't have access to money they are going to start borrowing money from places where they shouldn't or couldn't.

"It is a real problem and the scams that will come from that is concerning."

The musical is produced by ROYO, Future Artists Entertainment, Lowry and Curve.

It will have a book and lyrics by Rob Madge, music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary and will be directed by Curve artistic director Nikolai Foster.

Rob Madge said: "He is larger than life and wants to make real change in the world.

"Just because you are from a small town does not mean you can't do big things and musicals give licence to boldness.

"It is a real adventure and he is the ultimate hero and any story loves someone like Dave."

Tickets at the Lowry are on sale on September 24 and for the Curve from October 7.

Casting and further creatives are being announced in due course.

To find out more https://bankofdavemusical.com/