Wrestling Biopic Fighting With My Family Set for Stage Musical Adaptation
The 2019 wrestling film Fighting With My Family, directed by Stephen Merchant, is being transformed into a stage musical, bringing the story of WWE champion Saraya-Jade Bevis to the theatre. The adaptation will feature a book and lyrics by Jon Brittain, with music by Miranda Cooper and Nick Coler, promising to capture the film's unique blend of humour, grit, and heart.
From Screen to Stage: A Natural Evolution
Stephen Merchant, who wrote and directed the original film, revealed that he always envisioned the story as a musical. "I approached each wrestling match in the film as if it was a new dance number, building to a big show-stopping finale," Merchant explained. He described the narrative as following a young woman from the 'chorus line' fighting for her big break, surrounded by theatrical, larger-than-life characters and sweeping emotions.
The film starred Florence Pugh as Saraya-Jade Bevis, also known as Paige, who rose from a chaotic childhood in Norwich to become a WWE star in the United States at the age of 18. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson co-starred in the film and is now collaborating on the musical through his company, Seven Bucks Productions.
Star-Studded Support and Creative Vision
Dwayne Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "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." He added that as the story comes to life musically, it will be an absolute blast for theatregoers.
The musical is being developed by Tilted Musicals, whose co-founders Miranda Cooper and Sam Hodges highlighted the story's core themes. "What we love most about this story is, at its heart, it's about family – and all the wonderful, messy, contradictory dynamics that exist in every family," they said. They noted that it follows in the footsteps of successful British indie adaptations like The Full Monty, Billy Elliot, and Everybody's Talking About Jamie.
Background and Development Timeline
Saraya-Jade Bevis's life has been the subject of multiple adaptations, including a Channel 4 documentary in 2012 and her memoir, Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives, released last year. In a Guardian interview, she spoke about the power of performance, saying, "You can make them hate you, love you, cry for you and you get this adrenaline rush."
Workshops for the new musical are scheduled to take place this year, with a public presentation planned for 2027. Jon Brittain, who is also adapting his hit musical Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! for television, brings his expertise to this project, ensuring a fresh yet faithful interpretation.
The adaptation aims to blend the theatricality of wrestling with musical storytelling, offering audiences a dynamic and emotional experience that celebrates resilience, family bonds, and the pursuit of dreams.
