Ian Cheeseman finds warmth, wit and a touch of old‑school northern soul in Bank of Dave, a feel‑good musical that celebrates community spirit, working‑class grit and the unlikely hero who took on the banking establishment.
This is a musical about a kind-hearted man who wanted to use his success in life to help others. The concept reminded, me of one of my favourite films, It’s a Wonderful Life. Burnley lad Dave Fishwick is the hero of this very northern Musical.
The wonderful Lowry Theatre in Salford, co-produced the show, which was packed with onstage talent, led by Sam Lupton as Dave. I’ve previously seen Sam as Delboy in Only Fools and Horses; from cockney wideboy to northern working class hero.
Lucca Chadwick-Patel played Hugh, a principled lawyer, who proved to be a key character in helping Dave achieve his dreams, despite the resistance of the southern bankers. It’s a comedy musical, packed full of Victoria Wood style moments but overall with the feel of the TV comedy Benidorm.
Another star among this highly talented cast is Bolton born Claire Moore, a real superstar of Musical Theatre, who was in the original companies of Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon. Claire isn’t a stranger to the Lowry. I saw her as Scrooge eighteen months ago in a musical version with songs by eight time Oscar winner Alan Menken. In Bank of Dave, Claire sings one of the stand out, emotional, songs. She brought the depth and sincerity you’d expect from a performer of her class.
This is a story about one man and his battle to help ordinary people against “the man”. It’s a bit clichéd at times, and the conclusion of the show, when Dave explains that this Musical version of his life wasn’t entirely true, surprised me. Overall, though, this is a perfect night out for those who love old fashioned northern humour.
The show moves onto a fortnight at the Curve Theatre in Leicester, after it’s two week run at the Lowry. The producers might be dreaming of a West End run and it’s a show that certainly worked up north and the Lowry audience, which I was part of, loved it. I wonder whether it might prove too parochial though, for a run down south.
BANK OF DAVE is at the Lowry in Salford until Saturday 16th May 2026. 