‘ensemble cast impress at every turn providing the solid foundation for individual leads to shine’
Producers ROYO, Future Artists Entertainment, Curve Theatre, and Lowry serve up this rags to riches musical under the direction of Nikolai Foster. With book and lyrics by Rob Madge and music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary, this feel-good show tells the story, with a little dramatic licence, of Dave Fishwick (Sam Lupton), Burnley born and bred, who, as a self-made millionaire, alongside wife Nicky (Hayley Tamaddon), spent years helping local people and small businesses when hard-nosed banks turned them away.
When he lands upon the idea of setting up the Bank of Dave, he engages the help of posh but principled lawyer Hugh (Lucca Chadwick-Patel) and heads to London to take on the fat cats of the banking world led by the devilish Sir Charles Denbigh (Samuel Holmes).
In what will prove to be a real David vs Goliath battle, will the support of those in the community he has helped before – secretary Mavis (Hannah Nuttall); landlady Maureen (Claire Moore); doctor Alex (Lauryn Redding) and her friend Megan (Joni Anton-Kent); performer Simon as Cher (Mark Peachey); budding musician Danny (Zachary Willis); along with hairdresser Marco (Adam Colbeck-Dunn), Barbara (Rosie Strobel), Ali (Minal Patel), Omari (Elliot Broadfoot), Betty (Althea Burey), and Claire (Jhanaica Van Mook)who all perform ensemble roles throughout – be enough for this ordinary man to pull off something extraordinary?
Amy Jane Cook’s impressive set design provides a backdrop of the chimneys and mills representing more prosperous days with a front and centre staging that transforms with ease between a variety of locations from Dave’s office to the local pub; a private members club to a courtroom; with cast subtly guiding minor set adjustments and props as we segue between scenes, with Ben Cracknell’s inspired lighting design and Tom Marshall’s sound design both delightfully adding to the mix.
The live musical accompaniment performed under the direction of Matthew Jackson (keyboard) includes Lewis Dunsmore (guitar), Dave Guy (bass), Matt Whittingotn (drums), Tom Harrison (brass)l Jane Salmon (brass), and Meg Davies (reeds) is the icing on the cake bringing a real energy to the catchy songs with Ebony Molina’s creative choreography serving up some wonderful individual and ensemble performances.
The ensemble cast impress at every turn providing the solid foundation for individual leads to shine with an excellent Lupton more Dave than Dave (according to the man himself) with Tamaddon performing equally strongly as his wife. Interestingly the standout scenes and songs came from Holmes’ wicked portrayal of an arch-banker who stole every scene he appeared in and Chadwick-Patel’s southern lawyer turned good who delivered a show-stopping solo in the second half, all of which makes me wonder about how well the production will travel in its current guise: the opening act has a very strong Northern bias which landed well in Salford Quays, but I do wonder if it will need to be dialled down somewhat elsewhere; certainly the second act is more balanced and seemed to connect more widely although the ending was a little anticlimactic.
Bank of Dave the Musical performs at the Lowry, Salford Quays through to 16th May 2026. Further details and booking at https://www.thelowry.com/whats-on/bank-of-dave-the-musical-r5q7
Following this it transfers to the Curve Theatre in Leicester where it will perform 20th – 30th May 2026. Further details and booking https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/bank-of-dave/
Review Date: 7th May 2026
Star Rating: FOUR