Paddington the Musical is a joyful, marmalade-hearted triumph
“A heartwarming celebration of kindness, belonging, and the city that made him, Paddington the Musical is pure West End magic.”
SHOW TITLE: Paddington the Musical
STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THEATRE: Savoy Theatre
DATES: until October 2026
Some stories simply belong on the London stage, and Paddington the Musical feels like it’s finally come home. From the moment the curtain rises, this big-hearted adaptation of Michael Bond’s beloved bear reminds you why Paddington has captured imaginations for over six decades. It’s funny, inventive, moving, and every bit as charming as its marmalade-loving hero.
The Bear Comes to Life
Bringing a character as iconic as Paddington to the stage was always going to be the greatest challenge, and triumph (if done right). The creative team have achieved something remarkable: a live, animatronic Paddington so expressive and believable that the audience audibly gasps the first time he appears.
Paddington is brought to life by Arti Shah, on-stage actor in Paddington costume, and James Hameed, who provides the bear’s voice and animates his face from offstage. Their synergy is extraordinary. Paddington blinks, smiles, sings, and reacts in real time, creating something that feels both magical and deeply human. The result is an illusion so seamless that it moves people to tears, myself included.
Music that Shines with Heart
The score, written by Tom Fletcher of McFly, is a perfect match for this story’s warmth and whimsy. Fletcher’s songs are catchy, tender, and brimming with character, from the toe-tapping “Pretty Little Dead Things” to the sweeping “Rhythm of London” and the heartfelt “The Explorer & the Bear”
Every number drives the story forward and feels precisely tuned to the world of Paddington. There’s charm without saccharine, wit without cynicism. And because Fletcher knows how to write a pop hook, you’ll leave the theatre humming more than one tune.
The soundtrack, already partially released on Spotify, has become an early sensation which is a proof that this musical is built to last.
A Cast that Feels Like Family
The entire ensemble radiates joy and precision. James Hameed and Arti Shah’s dual performance as Paddington is a technical and emotional triumph, but they’re matched by a cast that clearly adores this story.
Victoria Hamilton-Barritt dazzles as the villainous Millicent Clyde, turning “Pretty Little Dead Things” into a showstopper laced with sass and sadness. Tom Edden brings gleeful chaos to Mr. Curry, balancing cartoonish humour with unexpected depth.
Meanwhile, the Brown family, led by Adrian der Gregorian and Bonnie Langford, radiate warmth and comic timing. Langford, in particular, is sensational — her energy, physicality, and sheer stagecraft remind you why she’s a West End legend.
Visual Storytelling and Design
Designer Tom Pye has created a world that captures both the bustle and the beauty of London. The set opens with Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, framed by a panoramic skyline that glows like a storybook illustration. Clever stagecraft transforms the space — bathtubs descend from ceilings, shelves collapse in choreographed chaos, and hidden compartments reveal new surprises at every turn.
Costumes by Gabriella Slade (of Six fame) burst with colour and personality, grounding the characters in everyday realism while retaining the storybook magic. Together, the visual design and choreography conjure a city alive with possibility, one that feels as much a character as Paddington himself.
A Love Letter to London
At its heart, Paddington the Musical is more than family entertainment — it’s a love letter to London and everything it represents. It celebrates kindness, openness, and the idea of finding home in an unfamiliar place. Beneath the laughter and spectacle, there’s a poignant story about belonging, empathy, and hope.
Few shows manage to blend spectacle with sincerity this effortlessly. This one does.
With its irresistible charm, inventive staging, and generous spirit, Paddington the Musical feels destined to become a West End fixture. It’s a production that bridges generations, delighting children, enchanting adults, and reminding everyone of the quiet power of kindness.
If you see just one family musical in 2026, make it this one.
