Can’t keep a good bear down.
Paddington: The Musical has extended its run due to “unprecedented demand” and will stay on the West End until at least June 25, 2028.
The show won seven Olivier Awards earlier this year — including best new musical, best director for Luke Sheppard, best actor, best supporting actor and best supporting actress — equaling the record for the most wins by a musical.
Paddington: The Musical is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, StudioCanal and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music U.K., with music and lyrics by McFly star Tom Fletcher and a book by Jessica Swale. It’s based on A Bear Called Paddington written by Michael Bond, as well as the smash-hit films following the marmalade-loving bear.
New productions are also set to open on Broadway in March 2027 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, and at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in September 2027.
Back in London, the dual role of Paddington will be played by Sonny Monaghan (the bear’s voice and remote puppetry) and Abbie Purvis and Hassan Taj (both Paddington on-stage performers). They’re joined by a new cast that includes Samantha Bingley as Lady Sloane, Tarinn Callender reprising his role as Grant, Alex Crandon as Hank the Pigeon, Linzi Hateley as Mrs Bird, Cassidy Janson as Millicent Clyde, Teddy Kempner reprising his role as Mr Gruber, Sandra Marvin as Tanya, Haydn Oakley as Mr Brown, Marc Pickering as Mr Curry, and Charlotte Wakefield as Mrs Brown.
A plot synopsis for the show reads: “When a small, lost bear from Peru arrives in London in search of a new home, a chance encounter with the Brown family leads him to the wonderful world of Windsor Gardens. But London isn’t all afternoon teas and friendly faces — and even the happiest families have their cracks beneath the surface. So when a mysterious and vengeful villain sets her sights on Paddington, the Browns embark on a thrilling rescue mission, realising they need this special bear as much as he needs them.”
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