Latest news with #PaddingtontheMusical
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tom Fletcher felt 'unbelievably honoured' writing songs for Paddington the Musical
McFly star Tom Fletcher has described his work on Paddington the Musical as an "unbelievable honour". On Thursday, it was announced that the stage musical adaptation of Michael Bond's first Paddington book will open in London's Savoy Theatre on 1 November. To celebrate the news, Fletcher posted an Instagram video in which he opened up about writing the production's music and lyrics. "Now, for the last few years of my life, I've had the unbelievable honour of writing the music and lyrics for Paddington the Musical, which, if you couldn't tell by the smile on my face, I still can't believe I get to say those words out loud," he said. "I'm so excited that the news is finally out that Paddington the Musical is coming to London's Savoy Theatre this autumn. The iconic Savoy Theatre. Honestly, I couldn't imagine a better home for Paddington the Musical." He added, "Honestly, getting to be part of the team that bring Paddington to life on the stage is the biggest honour and I cannot wait for you all to see actual Paddington step out onto the West End stage this autumn." The Strictly star also shared a snippet of one of his songs, a ballad which features the lyrics, "London, are you listening? London, are you there? London, please look after this bear." Fletcher told BBC News that the musical numbers are his "favourite songs I've ever written" and that he wrote one of the tunes the night he signed up for the job in 2020. Paddington the Musical is based on Bond's 1958 Paddington book, A Bear Called Paddington, and follows the beloved marmalade-loving character as he arrives in London from Peru. The story was previously turned into the 2014 film Paddington, which spawned the sequels Paddington 2 and Paddington in Peru. The musical, which was first announced in late 2023, was written by Jessica Swale and directed by Luke Sheppard. Tickets will go on general sale on 15 May.
Time Out
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
‘Paddington the Musical' is coming to London's West End this autumn
Paddington supremacy continues. The last year has seen the beloved Peruvian bear expand his portfolio to encompass a third film, a permanent London immersive experience, and his own limited edition run of Time Out magazine. Next up: Paddington the Musical. Announced at the tail-end of 2023, the musical has been in development since and this autumn it'll hopefully be ready for its debut at the Savoy Theatre. Beyond a date and venue we don't actually know a huge amount about more about the show than we did before: it's still going to be written by playwright Jessica Swale with songs by McFly mainstay and kids' author Tom Fletcher; the director is still Luke Sheppard, who has admittedly become an even bigger in the world of family friend musicals since the initial announcement thanks to his work on the smash revival of Starlight Express. Story-wise, it sounds like we're getting the origin again, as the young bear turns up at Paddington Station, is taken in by the bougie Brown family, and gets to grip with British society. However, we presumably shouldn't expect a straight up retelling of the first film – we're promised this is 'Paddington as you've never seen him before'. There is no word on casting, though rumour has it the bear himself with be a puppet rather than a bloke in a bear suit.
