A stage musical based on the Paddington film and book franchise will premiere this fall in London's West End. Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, STUDIOCANAL and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK, Paddington the Musical will open at the Savoy Theatre November 1.
Adapted from the much-loved children's books written by Michael Bond and the award-winning films by STUDIOCANAL, Paddington the Musical will feature music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, a book by Jessica Swale, and direction by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet).
Said Sheppard, 鈥淒iscovering how to bring Paddington鈥檚 story to the stage continues to be an enormous privilege鈥攚ith Jessica Swale and Tom Fletcher, it鈥檚 been thrilling to see this show grow into something very special, packing an incredible new score and a heart-wrenching script into a marmalade-filled suitcase. This is Paddington as you鈥檝e never seen him before, brought to life by a team celebrating all of the magic and wonder of live theatre. Alongside our producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley, who look after this bear with the greatest care, we鈥檝e been dreaming up big things for Paddington and can鈥檛 wait to welcome him to this iconic venue later this year.鈥�
Michael Bond鈥檚 A Bear Called Paddington was first published in 1958, the first of 29 Paddington books he was to write, with the final book, Paddington at St. Paul's, published posthumously in 2018. The books have sold over 35 million copies worldwide.
The character is one of the most popular British fictional characters of all time. So popular, in fact, that when the Channel Tunnel was completed in 1994, a stuffed Paddington toy was chosen by the British tunnellers as the first item to pass through to their French counterparts as an expression of friendship. The anthropomorphised bear from "darkest Peru," with his red hat, battered suitcase, blue coat, and love of marmalade sandwiches, is one of the most popular bears in all of children's literature, second only to Winnie the Pooh. The Paddington books have been translated into 30 languages, making him an internationally beloved icon.
Paddington has been adapted for television several times, first by the BBC in 1976, voiced by Michael Hordern; and most recently adapted by STUDIOCANAL. Paddington has enjoyed three successful big-screen outings by STUDIOCANAL and Heyday Films. Paddington released in 2014, Paddington 2 in 2017, and Paddington in Peru in 2024, all of which enjoyed critical and commercial acclaim.
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