The Bank of Dave - musical review

Remarkably inspired by a true story, the Made at Curve production, The Bank of Dave, is nothing short of a spectacular narrative. From the moment that Rob Madge and Pippa Cleary were announced as the writers, and direction from Nikolai Foster, it was apparent that Dave Fishwick's story would be in good hands with this legendary trio.

Bursting into the space with a vibrant bravado and drive to conquer anything the hero of the piece, played by Sam Lupton with such great enthusiasm, audiences are introduced to a man that is determined to change the banking system for the better, starting with his beloved hometown of Burnley. By helping locals to finance their passion projects, Dave's kindness was helping others to thrive. Engaging throughout, we meet a whole host of colourful characters to adopt the Northern charm and see how this bubbly production captures the essence of community spirit and the power of perseverance against all odds.

Supporting Dave on his mission, as much as he is giving back, is wife Nicky (played by Hayley Tamaddon), and the entirety of Burnley, represented through its townspeople, including Maureen (Claire Moore) as the pub landlady and Mavis (Hannah Nuttall, an older citizen with youthful pazazz. A stand-out is Alex, brilliantly portrayed by Lauryn Redding, who, despite her feisty outer shell, also holds big dreams close to her heart, wanting to make healthcare more accessible in the area. However, embracing the culture shock and embarking on a journey away from London that offers a new dimension to his world, Hugh (Lucca Chadwick-Patel) is sent to cause disruption to the process on behalf of banking big-wigs who are determined to maintain the status quo.

Packed with humour in every line if you look for it - as noted in the show - there is a wholly uplifting vibe, in spite of the barriers presented when creating a new bank. Often satirically expressed, there is the clear political discourse too, fuelling comedy but simultaneously presenting some thought-provoking notions regarding the bitter state of the socio-economic divide. However, this is an obvious effort to reflect the truth of the matter without channelling any kind of polarised agenda beyond Dave's genuine story. With a slight sway towards a focus on two unlikely love interests, it was refreshing to see this pulled back to the true purpose of the performance instead overall.

Amy Jane Cook's set offers a dynamic picture that becomes wonderfully alight with flair when met with the cast. Despite often being a visual burden if not employed effectively, the screens work nicely here as an addition to the space in which they fit, rather than given overpowering use that subsequently dampens the image. The fast-paced nature of the movement across the stage is engaging, utilising Ebony Molina's choreography in full throttle in several extravagant musical numbers, paired with a well-crafted original soundtrack.

Uplifting, fun and reigniting a sense of community, The Bank of Dave translates into a piece with buckets of potential. As with all ambitious aspirations depicted through its existence, small beginnings with good intentions have the ability to go far, and there's no doubt that this musical could follow suit.