FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY to be adapted into stage musical

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 23 April, 2026, 14:20

Stephen Merchant's 2019 wrestling film, Fighting With My Family, is being developed into a stage musical produced by Dwayne Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions in collaboration with Tilted Musicals, alongside Stephen Merchant and Birmingham Hippodrome.

Artwork provided by production.

The 2019 film, which starred Florence Pugh and Dwayne Johnson, is based on the inspiring true story of WWE superstar Paige. In this coming-of-age story, Saraya Knight (AKA Paige) is an outsider raised in a chaotic but loving British wrestling dynasty. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes her from Norwich to the glitzy world of WWE in America, where she must confront who she really is without her family in her corner.

The musical will have a book and lyrics by Olivier Award-winning playwright Jon Brittain, music and lyrics by Brit Award-winning songwriter Miranda Cooper (the pop powerhouse behind hits for Girls Aloud and Sugababes) and music by Ivor Novello-nominated Nick Coler. It follows in the footsteps of other iconic, successful British film-to-stage musicals like Billy Elliot, Paddington, and Kinky Boots.

Merchant said, "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.”

Closed workshops will take place this year before the musical premieres in 2027. Further details, including casting and venue, will be announced in due course.

Fighting With My Family Tickets