15-05-2025
How to buy Paddington the Musical tickets
The UK's favourite bear — sorry, Rupert — is finally making his way to the West End stage in 2025, with Paddington the Musical officially announced for its London premiere. In the wake of the continued adoration for Michael Bond's books, as well as the very successful film franchise, it's no surprise that Paddington's unique charm is taking on yet another medium.
Paddington the Musical has some big names behind it, with the book written by talented stage scribe Jessica Swale. She has form for adapting classic English literature, having transported Far from the Madding Crowd and The Secret Garden to the stage. Swale also wrote and directed the 2020 movie Summerland.
She's joined, though, by someone even more prominent. The music for the show comes from the pen of Tom Fletcher — best known for his work as part of the band McFly. Fletcher comes with serious pop pedigree, as well as plenty of experience in telling stories for kids thanks to his bestselling children's books including The Christmasaurus. The bear seems to be in very good hands.
Buy Paddington the Musical tickets
Paddington the Musical will come to the West End on 1 November 2025, with the show taking up residence at the Savoy Theatre. The venue is currently home to the Mean Girls musical and will host a brief season of the show Burlesque before handing over to Paddington in the autumn.
Anybody who wants to be in one of the first audiences to see Paddington the Musical can buy tickets now via Ticketmaster and ATG Tickets.
Paddington will now join the ranks of the big family musicals currently packing out theatres in the West End, alongside Frozen and the all-time classic The Lion King.
Michael Bond's original 1958 book A Bear Called Paddington provides the inspiration for the show, which will tell the well-known story of Paddington's arrival in London from darkest Peru. The book then follows Paddington through a series of low-key adventures, as opposed to the film which saw him take on Nicole Kidman as a taxidermist out to kill and stuff him.
The musical seems more likely to focus on some of Bond's original stories, which follow Paddington on adventures like his first trip to the theatre, a visit to the seaside, and as he attempts to mark his first birthday with the Browns by putting on a magic show.
Swale told the BBC that the team is "bringing a lot of new flavours to the table" in terms of the storytelling and plot. She said: "Of course the Browns are part of it, and familiar faces like Mr Gruber and Mr Curry, but there are a lot of new people as well. We've been very inspired by the books and the films but we like to think we're covering new territory."
Watch: Teaser trailer for Paddington the Musical
All involved in the musical are acutely aware of how important Paddington is to people, with Fletcher saying: "This unique and special bear is at the very heart of our nation, and I'm aware of the awesome responsibility we all have in taking on his story. It's beyond exciting, and an absolute dream come true."
Swale added: "Paddington is so much more than a fictional character; this special bear has come to represent hope, kindness and acceptance, so it's never felt like a more apt time to bring this story to the stage."
Paddington fans can now start getting excited to see the bear make his debut on the West End stage. It sounds like he's in good hands with the creative team behind this project and, after all, the guiding light for any Paddington story is always the same: please look after this bear. No hard stares required.
Paddington the Musical debuts at the Savoy Theatre in London on 1 November 2025.
