Fighting With My Family, the 2019 film written and directed by Stephen Merchant, is being developed into a new stage musical.
With book and lyrics by playwright Jon Brittain (Rotterdam, Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder!), Fighting With My Family will feature a new soundtrack by songwriter Miranda Cooper (music and lyrics) and Nick Coler (music).
It comes from Tilted Musicals, in collaboration with Seven Bucks Productions (co-founded by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia), Merchant, Kevin Misher and Birmingham Hippodrome.
Fighting With My Family premiered in January 2019 at the Sundance Film Festival before being released worldwide in February of the same year. The film follows the extraordinary true story of WWE superstar Paige, played by Florence Pugh. Vince Vaughn played the WWE trainer and Dwayne Johnson appeared as himself, as well as being a producer on the film with Dany Garcia for Seven Bucks Productions.
This new musical inspired by the film and the extraordinary true story will follow Saraya Knight (aka Paige), a goth outsider who is raised in a chaotic but loving British wrestling dynasty. When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes her from Norwich to America’s glitzy WWE, she must confront who she really is without her family in her corner.
This heartfelt coming-of-age story will feature a vibrant songbook by Cooper, who wrote songs for acts including Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Pet Shop Boys, Alesha Dixon and Kylie Minogue. This will mark the first musical developed and produced by Tilted Musicals, a new production company run by Cooper and UK producer/director Sam Hodges.
Closed workshops will take place this year before a public presentation in 2027, with further details to be announced in due course.
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Top image: Fighting With My Family artwork (image supplied)