Stephen Merchant’s wrestling film to be adapted into a musical
By Lauren Del Fabbro, Press Association Entertainment Reporter
The hit Stephen Merchant wrestling film Fighting With My Family will be adapted into a musical.
The 2019 biopic film, which starred Midsommar actress Florence Pugh, actor and wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden, was written and directed by Merchant and followed the true story of WWE superstar Paige, also known as Saraya Jade Bevis.
The new coming of age musical will be inspired by the film and follows the goth outsider as she is raised in a chaotic British wrestling family dynasty before receiving a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave Norwich for America’s WWE arena.
However, when she makes the journey she must decide who she really is without her family.
Merchant said: “When we were making the film, I always thought of it like a musical: a young woman from the ‘chorus line’ fighting to get her big break, surrounded by theatrical, larger-than-life characters and huge sweeping emotions.
“I approached each wrestling match like it was a different dance number, building to a big show-stopping finale.
“Seeing the film reimagined for the stage feels like the natural next step. The team have captured the humour, grit and heart of the story in a way that feels both faithful to the film and completely fresh.”
The musical will feature a soundtrack written by songwriter Miranda Cooper who, over the course of her career, has penned a number of hit tracks for major pop acts including Kylie Minogue, Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Pet Shop Boys and Alesha Dixon.
Johnson added: “Fighting With My Family feels exceptionally well suited for the stage.
“It’s packed with personal emotion expressed through the dynamic world of wrestling, which has always been about storytelling and connecting with a live audience.
“Working with Stephen Merchant on the film was a truly special experience, and his brilliant work deserves this new act.
“As it comes to life musically, I have no doubt it will be an absolute blast for theatre-goers.”
Further details are yet to be announced.
