Bank of Dave (touring) ★★★★

Dave Fishwick – a name that would have meant little to anybody outside of his beloved hometown Burnley, before a series of TV documentaries in the early 2010’s shone a light on this remarkable entrepreneur and philanthropist. Born into a family of mill workers and leaving school in 1987 with no formal qualifications, his passion for community and hard graft would lead him to setting up several successful businesses before turning his hand to lending money. Frustrated by the reluctance of conventional banks to support small traders and local charitable projects, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash, he set out to create his own financial institution – the titular Bank of Dave – which is where the musical begins.

Dave (Sam Lupton) enlists the help of young London lawyer Hugh (Lucca Chadwick-Patel), who has never travelled so far north as the Midlands, to attempt this monumental challenge. Dave is further supported by devoted wife Nicky (Hayley Tamaddon), as well as the numerous locals who frequent his favourite pub The Talbot, where much of the action is set. Culture clashes, legal altercations and romantic entanglements ensue in front of a backdrop of financial struggle, which feels very timely.

The lead role is played with great warmth by Lupton – he is instantly likeable as the working-class hero who loves to entertain as well as help others (“I always say, a night without singing is like a day without sunshine!”) To portray such a larger-than-life character in a way that is sincere and touching is a fine acting achievement. He is ably supported by Tamaddon, who brings great energy and comic timing, and Chadwick-Patel, who provides humorous contrast as the precise and mannered lawyer adrift in a northern world of brews instead of mocha lattes.

The supporting cast add layers of light and shade to the production, with the mood throughout shifting between hilarity and poignancy. Of note is Claire Moore, whose performance as big-hearted pub landlady Maureen includes a very moving rendition of the beautifully crafted song “Nowt to Lose,” a tribute to her late husband. On a more comical note, Hannah Nuttall is sensational as senior citizen Mavis, who gets much mileage from her choice lines (and language).

The powerhouse duo of writers Rob Madge (Book and Lyrics) and Pippa Cleary (Music and Lyrics) have ensured that this production is fizzing with creativity, bursting with ideas. The show never loses pace and is peppered with cultural references ranging from Coronation Street to Cher. The songs capture the spirit and resilience of a proud community and are enjoyable, if not hugely memorable. Special technical credit goes to video designer Duncan McLean, whose backdrops do a superb job of enhancing the action, whether moving vistas seen from minibus windows or computer game interpretations of the plot.

Bank of Dave feels like a northern version of Only Fools and Horses, with its well-meaning wheeler-dealer and his big dreams. Despite the undeniable talent of the cast and writers, at times it loses a little something in execution – there are occasions where so many people are singing, and the music is so loud that it’s difficult to tell what is being sung. That said, if awards were being given for heart, then Bank of Dave would sweep the board(room).