Paddington Takes Centre Stage as West End Musical Set for November Launch
Paddington musical West End debut is now confirmed for this November, with McFly’s Tom Fletcher describing the project as “the most special thing I’ve ever been a part of.” Set to open at the Savoy Theatre on 1st November, the production will bring Michael Bond’s much-loved bear to life in a new way, combining Fletcher’s original songs with a story inspired by the classic books and films.
Fletcher, who is also a successful children’s author, said he was filled with “overwhelming excitement” when first asked to work on the musical, adding,
“I hope I’ve done Paddington proud. These songs are my favourites I’ve ever written.”
Speaking to BBC News, he recalled jumping straight to the piano and writing a song while still on the initial call with producer Eliza Lumley – a song that remains in the show today.
The musical has been five years in the making, and Fletcher collaborated closely with scriptwriter Jessica Swale and director Luke Sheppard throughout the process. Swale said audiences could expect “lots of juicy new material,” while still staying faithful to the spirit of Paddington, his adoptive Brown family, and familiar characters like Mr Gruber and Mr Curry. “We’ve been very inspired by the books and films but we like to think we’re covering new territory,” she explained.
Michael Bond’s first story, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958, with Paddington’s adventures eventually spanning 29 books and selling over 35 million copies worldwide. Recent film adaptations featuring Ben Whishaw as Paddington’s voice have been major box office successes, helping introduce the character to new generations.
Fletcher said finding “the musical language” of Paddington was an exciting challenge. “Having something everybody knows but no one’s heard what it sounds like yet is a rare opportunity,” he reflected. While pop group Abba has turned to holograms and Disney’s Frozen musical uses puppetry, it remains under wraps how Paddington will appear on stage. Swale joked, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, he’s a bear!” before adding seriously that the team had experimented widely to find the right theatrical magic.
The production also plans to acknowledge Paddington’s deeper story. “Paddington is a refugee, and we want to honour who he represents,” said Swale, touching on the broader themes of belonging and kindness that have always been central to the character.
The Savoy Theatre, an iconic London venue often associated with grand productions, will host the show, promising a suitably spectacular stage for Paddington’s West End debut. You can find more about the venue through Visit London’s guide to the Savoy Theatre.
In true Paddington style, marmalade is set to play a starring role. Swale confirmed it would appear “not only in the book and lyrics, but physically on stage in a spectacular way.”
Tom Fletcher, who will be on tour with McFly and Busted when the show opens, said he’ll be balancing gigs with rushing back to London to check in on the production. “I might get confused and start singing Paddington songs on stage with McFly,” he laughed.
With excitement building, the Paddington musical looks ready to become another much-loved part of London’s theatre scene, offering audiences of all ages a fresh chance to experience the magic of the bear from Peru.
For more updates on London’s West End shows and entertainment news, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.
Follow us on:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!
We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!
