5 facts we learned about Paddington: The Musical – including a “breathtaking” Paddington reveal

Everyone’s beloved Paddington Bear is coming to the West End in November with the new musical, Paddington: The Musical. The show is based on the classic books by Michael Bond and the popular films.

The musical features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, a book by Jessica Swale, and direction by Luke Sheppard. The cast includes Bonnie Langford as Mrs. Bird, Amy Ellen Richardson as Mrs. Brown, Adrian Der Gregorian as Mr. Brown, and Teddy Kempner as Mr. Grube.

Beyond that basic information, details about the stage production are scarce – even what Paddington himself will look like! So, Digital Spy spoke with writer Jessica Swale to learn more about *Paddington: The Musical*.

1. Paddington reveal will be “so breathtaking”

Those attending the first preview of *Paddington: The Musical* on November 1st will be the very first audience members to see how the beloved bear has been brought to the stage. While the show’s creators are keeping the details under wraps, they have confirmed they didn’t use one particular technique.

Creating this has truly been a collaborative process, and we’ve been focused on staying open to different approaches. We really want to create something special and authentic. It’s been challenging, though. For instance, when depicting a character like Paddington alone, it’s hard to convey that sense of isolation if a large team of puppeteers – similar to the production of *War Horse* with five or six visible performers – is needed to operate a bear puppet.

We experimented with many approaches, and the final version is truly special and stunning. The artists who created Paddington are exceptionally talented, and I was completely amazed when I first met him – something I rarely feel when meeting anyone.

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I wasn’t sure we could capture the true spirit of Paddington, even though I really liked the team working on it. But then I saw Paddington, and it was incredibly moving – Tom and I both started crying immediately. We’re actually quite prone to emotional reactions like that!

Even after five years of working on this show and seeing it countless times, his first appearance on stage still gives me goosebumps. It never gets old.

2. It won’t be a scene-for-scene remake of the movie

This musical is inspired by the 2014 film and includes characters like Millicent Clyde, who was one of the original creators. However, it’s not simply the movie with added songs. The musical will capture the same hopeful and heartwarming feeling as the film.

I wouldn’t have considered the job if it simply meant recreating the movie as a play. It wouldn’t be a creative endeavor just copying lines from the film, and ultimately, a film is best experienced as a film.

Film allows us to show a character’s thoughts through close-ups – with Paddington, we can see what he’s thinking without him needing to speak. But on stage, where the audience is further away, we need to find other ways to convey those inner feelings. Using music has been a fantastic way to bring the story to life and share those moments.

3. But it will retain the movie’s uplifting spirit

I have a feeling this Paddington musical is going to be great for everyone, just like the movies! It seems like it’s going to keep that same warm, happy feeling we all loved, even though it’s a new story. It’s exactly what I was hoping for!

It’s been about eight years since my dad passed away, and I still think about something he did when he was sick. He only wanted to watch things with happy endings. He knew he was really unwell, and I think he just wanted to fill his remaining time with stories that reminded him life was good. He wanted to feel grateful for the simple things – friendship, love, even just enjoying a city like London. It was like he wanted to soak up all the joy he could.

I realized a while back that life is short, and that’s why I love what I do. Entertainment, especially things like theatre, has this amazing ability to really lift people’s spirits and give them a little hope – it’s powerful stuff.

From then on, I’ve always aimed to create work that’s hopeful, and *Paddington* perfectly embodies that goal. It’s incredibly easy when you collaborate with people like Tom and Luke, who are brimming with joy and creative talent.

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Paddington is special because he connects with people of all ages. Older generations fondly remember the original books, children love him as a sweet and huggable bear, and those of us who grew up with the movies have a strong connection to him as well.

Paddington is one of those rare characters – like a beloved book or cultural symbol – that everyone seems to connect with. His enduring optimism and positive outlook offer a bit of hope, especially when things feel difficult. We’ve all felt incredibly fortunate and excited to work on a story that genuinely makes people feel good, even just for a little while during their day.

Jessica Swale

4. It doesn’t shy away from its “very relevant” timely themes

Swale emphasizes that Paddington’s identity as an immigrant—someone who relies on the generosity of others—is central to the character and the stories, staying true to Michael Bond’s original vision, and the musical doesn’t shy away from this important aspect.

This bear arrives by boat, escaping a difficult situation, and desperately needs people to show him compassion and offer him shelter. It’s clear this story is particularly meaningful right now, but at its heart, it’s a simple tale about the power of kindness.

We’ve deliberately let the story and its underlying themes stand on their own, much like the original author, Michael Bond, did. Ultimately, the heart of the story is a bear that embodies universal experiences.

He approaches everyone with kindness and poor judgment, and consistently meets people who are critical and facing hardships. Throughout the story – whether it’s with the Brown family, Mr. Curry, or the characters created for the musical – he has a transformative effect on them all.

“If only there was a three-foot-six bear in everybody’s life, you’d be much better off.”

5. It updates the story, but it’s not set at a specific time

The first song from the new musical, ‘The Explorer & The Bear’ (you can hear it here), led some listeners to believe the story takes place at Christmas because of the cheerful bell sounds. These bells are actually meant to evoke the sound of London! Just like the ‘Paddington’ movies, the musical will have a warm, festive feeling even though it doesn’t happen at a specific holiday or time of year.

I love these movies, but if they were starting the first one today, some things would likely be different. We’re really thinking about how the characters would be if they existed now – like, what would Mrs. Brown be like as a mom in 2025?

So, the musical isn’t really set in a specific time period, and we’ve been super careful about that. I actually cut a joke about a hybrid Volvo because it felt too modern – we wanted it to feel like it could happen at any point in time. That’s because *Paddington* just has this timeless quality to it, and we wanted to lean into that. It should feel like it could be happening now, or fifty years ago, or even longer!

The show really captures the spirit of modern London and its incredible diversity – something we all value. This is reflected not only in the actors chosen, but also in the well-developed and varied characters, showcasing London as a vibrant, multicultural city. It’s been a joy figuring out who Paddington meets during his adventures around town.

While it’s not specifically a Christmas show, it has a really joyful and celebratory feeling. London is such a festive city, and it’s wonderful to be opening the show in winter, especially in such a beautiful, historic theatre. It’s perfect for a family outing during the holidays, but it’s also a show that can be enjoyed year-round. We’ve aimed to create something that everyone will love.

Paddington the Musical will premiere at the Savoy Theatre in London on November 30th, following preview performances starting November 1st.

Tickets are currently available to book until May 25, 2026, through websites like TodayTix, ATG Tickets, and LOVETheatre.

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2025-10-18 09:21