Paddington The Musical at London's Savoy Theatre represents a collaboration of some of British theatre's most exciting creative talents. With original music by McFly's Tom Fletcher, an Olivier Award-winning book by Jessica Swale, and direction from the team behind & Juliet, this new West End musical has assembled a dream team to bring Michael Bond's beloved bear to theatrical life.

Tom Fletcher: Writing Original Music for Paddington The Musical

Tom Fletcher, best known as a founding member of the British-Irish pop band McFly, has composed all the original music and lyrics for Paddington The Musical. With McFly, Fletcher achieved remarkable commercial success, including ten UK number one singles and numerous platinum certifications.

Beyond his music career, Tom Fletcher has established himself as a bestselling children's author, writing books including The Christmasaurus, The Creakers, and The Dinosaur That Pooped series. This unique combination of musical talent and experience creating content for young audiences made him the ideal choice to compose the score for Paddington's theatrical debut.

Fletcher's songs for Paddington The Musical have been praised by critics for combining catchy, memorable melodies with genuinely emotive storytelling. Variety noted that "his comedy numbers are witty and, seized by the skilled cast, all the laughs land." The song "One of Us," performed in the show and released by Decca Records, has even been tipped for Christmas chart success.

The score features a varied musical palette, mixing contemporary ballads and energetic rock numbers with old-school jazzy songs, giving each character their own musical identity while maintaining a cohesive theatrical sound.

Jessica Swale: Crafting Paddington's Story for the Stage

Olivier Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Jessica Swale wrote the book for Paddington The Musical. Swale is renowned for her acclaimed West End plays Nell Gwynn and Blue Stockings, both celebrated for their wit, intelligence, and emotional depth.

Swale's adaptation draws from both Michael Bond's original A Bear Called Paddington and the 2014 STUDIOCANAL film. Her script weaves together humour, heart, and genuine emotional moments that resonate with both children and adults, while celebrating themes of family, acceptance, and kindness.

Critics have praised Swale's book for its "joyfully witty yet always heartfelt" tone. WhatsOnStage highlighted that the script includes "gleeful stagey in-jokes" while wearing "its theatricality proudly." The adaptation successfully translates Paddington's beloved narrative to the stage while adding new layers of character development and theatrical sophistication.

The script directly addresses contemporary themes of welcoming strangers and accepting differences. As London Theatre noted in their review, "This is a show about welcoming foreigners, about asserting the values of kindness and tolerance."

Luke Sheppard: Directing Paddington The Musical at the Savoy Theatre

Luke Sheppard brings Paddington The Musical to life with his signature style of colourful, emotionally rich theatre. The Tony Award-nominated director previously helmed the hit West End musical & Juliet, which earned multiple Olivier Award nominations, as well as The Little Big Things and In the Heights.

Sheppard's imaginative direction perfectly suits Paddington's charming world, combining dynamic choreography, innovative staging, and genuine emotional storytelling. Critics have called the production "superbly and energetically directed," praising how the show "wants you to love it, and it is ultimately impossible to resist."

One of Sheppard's greatest achievements is the staging of Paddington himself. Working with Paddington Bear designer Tahra Zafar, the production created a theatrical solution that combines puppetry and live performance to bring the bear to life in a way that immediately captures the audience's imagination.

The Full Paddington The Musical Creative Team

The creative team assembled for Paddington The Musical includes some of the West End's finest theatrical craftspeople:
Musical Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements: Matt Brind brings his expertise to the show's musical arrangements, having worked on Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular and other major productions.
Choreographer: Ellen Kane creates the dazzling dance sequences that bring energy and joy to the stage, building on her work with shows like Legally Blonde.
Scenic Designer: Tom Pye designs the sets that bring Paddington's world to vivid life, from the misty streets of London to the warmth of Windsor Gardens.
Costume Designer: Gabriella Slade creates the costumes, including the intricate Paddington Bear suit and the elaborate villain's wardrobe.
Paddington Bear Designer: Tahra Zafar crafted the beloved bear's physical appearance for the stage, creating an "expressionless face" that critics have called "astonishingly expressive."
Lighting Designer: Neil Austin, known for his work on Tammy Faye, creates the lighting design.
Sound Designer: Gareth Owen, whose credits include Kinky Boots, designs the show's sound.
Video and Animation: Ash J Woodward creates the visual effects and projections.
Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, STUDIOCANAL, and Universal Music UK

Paddington The Musical is produced by three major production companies:

Sonia Friedman Productions is one of the West End's most renowned producers, with credits including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Book of Mormon, and countless other successful productions.

STUDIOCANAL is the film production company behind the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Paddington films (2014 and 2017), ensuring continuity with the beloved film franchise.

Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK brings music industry expertise to the production, supporting Tom Fletcher's original score.

Book Paddington The Musical Tickets

Experience the theatrical vision of this award-winning creative team at London's Savoy Theatre. Book Paddington The Musical tickets today.

The production is booking until 14 February 2027, with best availability from autumn 2026 due to exceptional demand. Don't miss this landmark collaboration between some of British theatre's brightest talents.

For more Paddington adventures in London, visit The Paddington Bear Experience at County Hall for an immersive family day out.