Review: Bank of Dave The Musical, at Lowry, Salford

My first review at Lowry this year, and it is a piece that they have premiered as part of their developmental programme, this time in partnership with Nikolai Foster and the team at the Leicester Curve. It is the Lowry who are playing this new British musical. Seems only right because this is about a Northern legend. 

Welcome to Burnley folks!

Bank of Dave The Musical is based on the true story of Burnley Born and Bred businessman Dave Fishwick, who sets out to create the the first new high street bank in over 150 years, pouring all profits back into the community. It turns into the classic David (or just Dave in this case) vs Goliath story, as Dave has to fight the big bankers to do it. 

The underdog taking on the Rottweilers is a trope we all know and love. And for it to make it work, it has to be written with lovable characters and in a way we all know about and can identify with. Pippa Cleary and Rob Madge's take on this story ticks all the boxes in that department. Madge proved they could write a funny and heart felt show with his autobiographical My Son's A Queer But What Can You Do (which ironically enough, they co-wrote with Cleary), and Bank of Dave's book is hysterical. Several lines earned a chuckle throughout the theatre. 

But, do not be deceived by the chuckles. Bank of Dave also holds so much heart

As a Lancashire girl myself (Bolton if you want to be specific, but I work only half an hour from Burnley itself), I loved how much Northern grit and soul it had. We may have a lot more rain, but we have heart in Lancashire. There is a big sense of community around here; and Madge and Cleary absolutely nailed that to much to the extent that Burnley itself became a character. 

What Bank of Dave becomes is reminiscent of British musicals such as Billy Elliot and Kinky Boots, and even Paddington (from what I've heard of the recording); but with the humour of Avenue Q or Book of Mormon chucked in for good measure. I wouldn't take the little ones to see this. Unless you want them to be singing "Fuckin' Hell, Fuckin' Hell!", like Dave and Nicky do in unison near the end of the show. 

And just like those above musicals I've mentioned, the characters are relatable, complex, and performed by some incredible actors

If you have ever seen Dave being interviewed, you can tell that he is a larger than life character. Sam Lupton catches his spirit spot on. In fact, he is almost uncanny, in not only the way he speaks, but also holds himself, and how he greets everyone with a big smile and chuckle. There is so much determination leaking out of him to support his community, you can't help but not get behind him. 

By his side during the process, is his wife Nicky, played by Haley Tamaddon (Chicago), and Luca Chadwick-Patel (Legally Blonde) as London lawyer Hugh. Hugh goes on just as big of a journey as Dave does, if not bigger, as he turns from being cynical and dreading being Past the M25, to truly falling in love with the community spirit that he has lacked in the big city. Chadwick-Patel gives a really sensitive performance, to help us fall in love with Hugh just as much as Dave. Look out, in his solo What Heroes Do, for the Zelda inspired backdrop. Video designer Duncan McLean definitely captured the spirit of a classic game, and must have had a blast creating that. 

We also get to meet more characters who Dave is looking to help with his bank, including no-nonsense doctor Alex (played by Lauryn Redding (Bloody Elle)), and pub landlord Maureen (played by West End legend and fellow Lancashire lass Claire Moore), who made the audience close to tearing up. 

Could Bank of Dave be as successful as other Lowry developee, Operation Mincemeat? We shall see

The rumour is that Bank of Dave will transfer to the West End. And I definitely hope it does - to gather London audiences' reactions to the many many jibes about The Big Smoke alone. But like Paddington, and PRIDE (which is playing soon at the National), Bank of Dave is a story of kindness and community, which we need more than ever. This time with shovels of Northern grit. 

The only quibble I had was that the ending seemed a bit ambiguous, and left us on a note that I was not expecting. Otherwise, Bank of Dave is such an uplifting show, you are sure to have a fantastic time. The Lowry run ends on Saturday 16th, before moving on to Leicester the following week.