Paddington The Musical
In the age of ‘Movie Musicals’ Paddington is a breath of fresh marmalade scented air! This loveable bear who has been around for several decades, and has become something of a national treasure, is brought to life in this magical new show.
When ‘Paddington The Musical’ was announced several months ago, the question everyone asked was ‘But how will they do the bear?’ and now we have our answer; the moment Paddington stepped on stage I found myself with tears running down my cheeks, to see this iconic character living and breathing in front of me was pure magic.
The loveable furry guy is brought to life by an incredible team: James Hameed is the off stage performer bringing the sound of Paddington to life, while the onstage performer (Abbie Purvis at the performance I attended) breathes life into the bear we know and love. The physicality of the role cannot be understated, spending 2hrs 40mins in a full fur suit can’t be easy, but Paddington never looks tired and can boogie with the best of them throughout!
We follow Paddington as he moves to London, is taken in by the Brown family and wreaks havoc in their home. There is also the peril of a crazed taxidermist who just needs to add 1 Peruvian Bear to her collection. The plot is largely the same as the first Paddington film, so it feels cosy and familiar. Though of course this is a musical, so we have the addition of some fantastic original songs. Tom Fletcher has penned a score which is full of bops which you’ll be humming for days after. There is a range of style from more modern beats to classic golden age musical numbers, and they all work wonderfully in the world that has been created before us. The set and video design are so clever you forget you’re sitting in a theatre, you feel yourself transported to Peru in the jungle one moment, the next we’re part of a big dance number in Borough Market.
The cast in this show are all so fantastic, it’s truly an embarrassment of riches in terms of talent on stage with each showing off their immense talents so wonderfully. Victoria Hamilton-Barritt is outstanding as the villainess Millicent Clyde, she’s giving us a high camp, dramatic and hilarious performance and arguably has the best number in the show with ‘Pretty Little Dead Things’. Tom Edden is brilliantly awful as Mr Curry, the grumpy neighbour of The Brown family who takes his job as ‘Chief Neighbourhood Watch Warden’ far too seriously but he eventually warms and leads the brilliant act 2 opening number ‘Marmalade’ including an audience sing along!
Amy Ellen Richardson is a marvel as Mrs Brown, the wife and mother who just wants to be happy and have her family be happy in turn. Amy has an incredible song in Act 1; ‘One Page at a Time’ which threatens to blow the roof off the theatre! Bonnie Langford is also spectacular here, playing the rather scatty Mrs Bird, she gets a great dance number with splits, high kicks and cartwheels, reminding us all that she is West End Royalty. Amy Booth-Steel brings a huge dose of comedy relief, she is a number of ensemble characters but her main part of Lady Sloane is side-bustlingly hilarious, with her hoity-toity attitude and ridiculous accent she will leave you howling with laughter.
This is a show that could be a wonderful ointment for the difficulties in the world. Its moral core reminds us to always show kindness, acceptance and love to those around us and that our found family can be just as important as our real family. Aunt Lucy would be very happy as Paddington has a home in London now and we promise to look after him!
This is a show that deserves to sweep up when award season comes around and if it doesn’t, I’ll eat 1000 marmalade sandwiches!
This show was reviewed on the 1st December at the Savoy Theatre, London where it is booking through until October 2026. Tickets available here : PADDINGTON The Musical | Official West End Show | November 2025
Review written by Rosie Browne
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Photo credit: Johan Persson
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