New West End show Paddington The Musical has opened at the Savoy Theatre in London, with preview performances now underway for the much-anticipated new musical.
At the first performance on Saturday (1 November 2025) the audience were left in tears after Paddington Bear was revealed for the first time.
Paddington The Musical is now playing at the Savoy Theatre, and recently extended its run in London to 25 October 2026.
Video: Audience reactions to see Paddington on stage
See all photos and videos of Paddington The Musical in London >
Also revealed on Saturday were the performers bringing Paddington to life on stage every night, with Arti Shah as the On-stage Performer as Paddington, and James Hameed, who took a bow on Saturday hand-in-hand with Paddington, as the Off-stage Performer and Remote Puppeteer.
Paddington is produced by West End and Broadway impresario Sonia Friedman, and StudioCanal who made the much-loved Paddington films.
Even Sonia’s sister, award-winning actor and director Maria Friedman, was there to cheer on the production on Saturday night.
The cast of Paddington also includes Timi Akinyosade (Man Like Mobeen) as Tony, Amy Booth-Steel (Coronation Street) as Lady Sloane, Tarrin Callender (Hamilton) as Grant, Delilah Bennett-Cardy (The Magic Faraway Tree) as Judy Brown, Adrian Der Gregorian (Roman Holiday) as Mr. Brown, Tom Edden (Crazy For You) as Mr. Curry, Brenda Edwards (We Will Rock You) as Tanya, Amy Ellen Richardson (Extraordinary Women) as Mrs. Brown, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Hadestown) as Millicent Clyde, Teddy Kempner (Girl From The North Country) as Mr. Gruber and Bonnie Langford (Les Miserables) as Mrs. Bird.
The role of Jonathan Brown is played by Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare and Jasper Rowse.
The ensemble cast features Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, David Birch, Aimée Fisher, Jacqueline Hughes, Kellianna Jay, Sam Lathwood, Natasha Leaver, Katie Lee, Sunny Lee, Vicki Lee Taylor, Jáiden Lodge, Andilé Mabhena, Rose Mary O’Reilly, Ben Redfern, Hugo Rolland and Simon Shorten.
Video: Meet Paddington Bear
The creative team for Paddington also features musical supervisor, orchestrations and arrangements by Matt Brind; choreography by Ellen Kane; scenic design by Tom Pye; costume design by Gabriella Slade; lighting design by Neil Austin; sound design by Gareth Owen; video design and animation by Ash J Woodward; hair, wig and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates; illustration and additional animation by Majid Adin; musical director Laura Bangay; casting director Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting; young persons’ casting director Nick Hockaday; physical comedy consultant Javier Marzan; and additional music consultants Tobago and D-Lime.
The creative team behind the bear are Paddington Bear Designer Tahra Zafar, Bear Physicality Associate Director Audrey Brisson, Remote Puppetry Coach Audrey Brisson, and Paddington Bear Casting Director Annabelle Davis.
The new musical is based on the much-loved Paddington Bear books by Michael Bond and the successful StudioCanal films, and has a book by Olivier Award winner Jessica Swale (Nell Gwynn, Summerland), and music and lyrics by McFly’s Tom Fletcher (The Creakers).
In the show, when a small, lost bear from Peru arrives in London in search of a new home, a chance encounter with the Brown family leads him to the wonderful world of Windsor Gardens. But London isn’t all afternoon teas and friendly faces – and even the happiest families have their cracks beneath the surface. So when a mysterious and vengeful villain sets her sights on Paddington, the Browns embark on a thrilling rescue mission, realising they need this special bear as much as he needs them.
Tickets to Paddington The Musical
Paddington The Musical is now playing at the Savoy Theatre in London, booking to 25 October 2026.
Book Paddington The Musical tickets at the Savoy Theatre London
Savoy Theatre, London
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