First-look at Paddington Bear in the new West End musical

Paddington The Musical features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher (The Creakers), a book by Jessica Swale (Nell Gwynn) and will be directed by Luke Sheppard (Just For One Day).

The beloved bear will be brought to life by James Hameed (Just For One Day - The Live Aid Musical (The Old Vic/CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre/Shaftesbury Theatre) who will act as the Off-stage Performer and Remote Puppeteer for Paddington. He will be helped by On-stage Performer Arti Shah (The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power). The team behind the bear are Tahra Zafar (Paddington Bear Designer), Audrey Brisson (Bear Physicality Associate Director), Phill Woodfine (Remote Puppetry Coach) and Annabelle Davis (Paddington Bear Casting Director). The Alternate Paddington On-stage Performers are Abbie Purvis and Ali Sarebani.

Producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley said today, “After many years of exploration and development, we are thrilled, alongside STUDIOCANAL, to finally bring Paddington to life on stage. It takes an extraordinary team to share this very special bear with the world — our amazing performers James and Arti, our brilliant alternates Abbie and Ali, and the incredible group of artists led by designer Tahra, alongside Audrey, Phill, and Annabelle. Their collective creativity and vision are at the heart of our production, and it has been a true collaboration, helmed by Luke Sheppard, our Creative, Associate, Stage Management, Production and Development teams involved in supporting us in bringing Paddington to life in a truly beautiful and unique way.

“What we as producers always hoped to achieve was, quite simply, Paddington on stage — and thanks to the immensely talented artists, both on and off stage, we believe we’ve realised that.”

James Hameed and Arti Shah. Photo by Jay Brooks

The cast for the show includes Amy Booth-Steel (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Chichester Festival Theatre) as Lady Sloane, Tarinn Callender (Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre) as Grant, Delilah Bennett-Cardy (Bugsy Malone, UK Tour) as Judy Brown, Adrian Der Gregorian (Made in Dagenham, Adelphi Theatre) as Mr Brown, Tom Edden (Oliver!, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) as Mr Curry, Brenda Edwards (Chicago, UK Tour) as Tanya, Amy Ellen Richardson (Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre) as Mrs Brown, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Hadestown, Lyric Theatre) as Millicent Clyde, Teddy Kempner (Girl from the North Country, Old Vic) as Mr Gruber, and Bonnie Langford (Sondheim's Old Friends, Gielgud Theatre) as Mrs Bird.

It is completed by Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, David Birch, Aimée Fisher, Jacqueline Hughes, Kellianna Jay, Sam Lathwood, Natasha Leaver, Katie Lee, Sunny Lee, Vicki Lee Taylor, Jáiden Lodge, Andilé Mabhena, Rose Mary O’Reilly, Ben Redfern, Hugo Rolland and Simon Shorten.

The role of Jonathan Brown will be shared by Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare, and Jasper Rowe.

Jam-packed with show-stopping songs, dazzling choreography, mischief, and mayhem at every turn - everything you need for the ultimate family musical in the West End this winter! Follow Paddington's journey from the depths of Peru to the bright lights of London in search of a new home.

Paddington The Musical is now extending performances at the Savoy Theatre to 25 October 2026.

Paddington the Musical Tickets