The much-loved bear from Peru will find a new home at the Savoy Theatre, London from 1st November, with music and lyrics by McFLY frontman and best-selling children’s author, Tom Fletcher.
Adapted from the books written by Michael Bond, and the award-winning films, with music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard, priority booking will open for Paddington The Musical from 13th May, with the public sale starting on 15th May.
Tom Fletcher is the founding member of Brit Award-winning band McFLY. He has penned ten number one singles and his band, who were founded in 2003, remain one of the most successful in the UK. In fact, McFLY are the youngest band to chart a debut album at number one - taking the record from The Beatles - and have recorded seven studio albums and sold over ten million albums. Tom is also a coach on The Voice UK, alongside band mate Danny Jones.
In 2016 Tom published his first novel The Christmasaurus which was the biggest debut middle-grade novel that year and was shortlisted for a British Book Award. He has written over 30 children’s books, which have been translated into 45 languages and have sold over ten million copies.
Tom said: “It’s an honour to be entrusted to bring the story of Paddington to life on stage with the very best of creative collaborators in Jessica, Luke, and our producers Sonia and Eliza. This unique and special bear is at the very heart of our nation, and I’m aware of the awesome responsibility we all have in taking on his story. It’s beyond exciting, and an absolute dream come true – we look forward to welcoming you to join us at the Savoy this autumn.”
Jessica Swale, who writes the book for the new musical, is an Olivier Award-winning filmmaker, writer and director. Her much-performed theatre adaptations include Sense and Sensibility, Far from the Madding Crowd, The Jungle Book and The Secret Garden.
The musical will be directed by Luke Sheppard, whose theatre credits include & Juliet, Starlight Express, and Just For One Day.
What’s the story for the production?
Based on A Bear Called Paddington written by Michael Bond and by special arrangement with STUDIOCANAL, Paddington The Musical is set to bring one of Britain’s best-loved characters to life on stage in a major new production at the Savoy Theatre full of new songs, choreography – and of course, marmalade sandwiches. The producers say it’s going to be Paddington as you’ve never seen him before.
When a lost, small 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 cream teas and friendly faces – and even the happiest families have their cracks beneath the surface. So when Paddington’s life is suddenly in peril, the Browns must decide just how far they’re willing to go, and what they’re willing to risk, to give this special bear a home.
Paddington, as popular as ever
Michael Bond’s A Bear Called Paddington was published in 1958 and was the first of 29 Paddington books he would write, with the final instalment, Paddington at St. Paul’s, published posthumously in 2018. The books have sold over 35 million copies worldwide.
Paddington has been adapted for television several times, first by the BBC in 1976, voiced by Michael Hordern, and most recently for the big screen with Paddington released in 2014, followed by Paddington 2 in 2017 and Paddington in Peru in 2024.
Paddington The Musical opens at The Savoy Theatre, London on 1st November 2025.
For more information visit www.paddingtonthemusical.com.
