Review: PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL at Savoy Theatre

Michael Bond’s Paddington, has always cultivated an avid following ever since he was introduced in 1958, with his popularity increasing still further in recent years due in no small part to the three hugely successful movies. Similar to those cinematic versions, here Mr and Mrs Brown (Adrian Der Gregorian and Amy Ellen Richardson) and their children Jonathan and Judy (Stevie Hare on the night I attended, and Delilah Bennett-Cardy) unofficially adopt the little bear who they encounter at Paddington train station, and bring him home to No32 Windsor Gardens where he meets the all important fifth member of the household Mrs Bird (Bonnie Langford). For the stage musical, we are first introduced to the Peruvian background story involving Aunt Lucy at the antiques shop of Mr Gruber (Teddy Kempner) where a young man (James Hameed) is drawn to the small stuffed toy and encouraged to Look after this bear. For the following scene, he walks behind Paddington (who is played in a bear suit by Arti Shah), and thereafter, he provides his spoken and sung voice for the remainder of the show. As a presentation device, the on/off stage combination works remarkably well.

Paddington the Musical production image. Photo by Johan Persson

The major sub-plot, which provides the story with its all-important villain, involves an explorer who travelled the world, leaving his daughter feeling abandoned and unloved. Millicent Clyde (Victoria Hamilton-Barritt) has consequently developed an unhealthy hobby of capturing and stuffing the creatures her father had such a passion for, which she does at her lair attached to the Natural History Museum. It is here that she is intent on completing her morbid collection by adding Paddington to her exhibit with the aid of her duped sidekick security guard Grant (Tarinn Callender) whose good heart soon ensures he switches allegiance. Further frenzied comic support is contributed with considerable gusto by Mr Curry (Tom Edden) an officious taxi driver with a penchant for rules, Lady Sloane (Amy Booth-Steel) as the head of an Empire obsessed geographical society and Hank the Pigeon (Ben Redfern) who has several moments of levity before being instrumental in orchestrating the despatch of the show’s villainess in the final scene.

Whilst this stage adaptation with music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher and book by Jessica Swale remains unashamedly whimsical and charming, through the deft and daft use of fourth-wall breaking comedy, the show manages to avoid ever being saccharin, maintains pace and strikes a thoroughly entertaining note throughout the running time of 2 hours and 30mins (inc. interval). Directed by Luke Sheppard, the production looks set to enjoy a long and sold-out run at the beautiful Savoy Theatre. Paddington the Musical is undoubtedly a very welcome new addition to the London theatre scene.

Plays at Savoy Theatre until 25 October 2026.