The Savoy Theatre in London is now home to a major new theatrical sensation, as Paddington The Musical captivates audiences and is set to remain a fixture of the West End until October 2026. This eagerly anticipated production, drawing from Michael Bond's beloved children's books and the successful film series, has quickly established itself at the very top of London's theatre scene.
A Bear of Staggering Charm
The undisputed star of the show is the remarkable Paddington bear costume itself. As the golden-fleeced, Peruvian asylum seeker steps onto the Paddington station set, he triggers waves of rapturous delight from the audience. Designed by Tahra Zafar, the costume is a work of genius, allowing the bear to blink bashfully, wrinkle his puzzled muzzle with extreme pathos, and wiggle his tiny behind to an ecstatic reception.
Bringing the beloved bear to life is a true team effort. The voice is delivered from the wings by James Hameed, while performer Arti Shah inhabits the costume with an adorable wiggle that has been perfected. The production, directed by Luke Sheppard, successfully balances fun with a heartfelt message about kindness.
More Than Just a Costume: Songs and Spectacle
While the bear is the main attraction, a full-scale musical surrounds him, featuring songs by Tom Fletcher of McFly. The numbers range from comic and anthemic to shamelessly sappy. A particular highlight is the villainous theme Pretty Little Dead Things, performed with fabulous menace by Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Millicent Clyde.
The pulse quickens with the carnival number The Rhythm Of London, and Hard Stare reminds us how bad manners can arouse Paddington's ursine wrath. Bonnie Langford leads a mildly raucous music hall number as the Scottish housekeeper, and the big finale is an ode to love and kindness. The spectacular sets by Tom Pye include a glorious Natural History Museum with a dodo, stuffed giraffes, and a brontosaurus skeleton, creating a fantasy London that will delight tourists.
Standout Performances and Audience Reactions
Amy Ellen Richardson delivers a thoroughly wholesome performance as Mrs Brown, Paddington's champion. However, the big laughs are administered by comic virtuoso Tom Edden as a miserable cabbie, whose conversion to Seville orange conserve cues the psychedelic showstopper Marmalade.
Hamilton-Barritt's baddie, who mixes Frances Barber with Margaret Thatcher, is run close by Hank, a cockney rhyming slang-squawking pigeon puppet operated by Ben Redfern. The production isn't without its in-story sceptics, mirroring a potential real-world divide, where some find Paddington's home-trashing antics annoying, adding a pinch of salt to the saccharine message.
With its monumental staging, unforgettable performances, and a heart as warm as a marmalade sandwich, Paddington The Musical is a roaring success, destined to fill the producers' coffers and the hearts of families for years to come.
