A guide to all the songs in 'Paddington The Musical'

Learn all about Tom Fletcher's paw-fect songs in this glorious new British musical about a very special bear.

Summary

• Paddington The Musical brings our favourite small bear's story to life on stage
• The West End production features an original score by Tom Fletcher
• Songs include big ballads like "The Explorer and the Bear"
• There are also fabulous showstoppers like the super-catchy "Marmalade"

The West End’s new star is small, furry, and believes that you use electric toothbrushes to clean your ears. But we have all taken him to heart, of course, because it’s Paddington the bear, now the centre of a smash-hit British musical with a book by Jessica Swale and score by McFly’s Tom Fletcher.

The story follows Paddington as he arrives in London from Peru in search of a new home and winds up staying with the fractured Brown family in Windsor Gardens. Gradually he comes to change their lives, just as he does everyone he meets, thanks to his gentle politeness and endless curiosity and empathy.

Get to know all about the show’s wonderful songs ahead of your trip to Paddington The Musical – and don’t forget to bring a marmalade sandwich!

Book Paddington The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Spoilers follow!

“Mr Gruber’s Curiosities”

We open with this intriguing number sung by Mr Gruber about his shop of curiosities – which includes a very familiar teddy bear. A young man picks this up as Mr Gruber explains that every object tells a story; that young man then becomes the voice of Paddington in the production’s magical solution.

“I’ve Arrived”

After a perilous journey across the ocean, Paddington has arrived in London, as he cheerfully sings to Aunt Lucy in an upbeat song version of a letter. But the city isn’t quite what he expected – no matter how many times Paddington tips his red hat or tries to introduce himself, he is rudely ignored by the busy commuters at Paddington train station.

“The Taxi Driver’s Code”

The Browns’ taxi driver, their mean neighbour Mr Curry, initially refuses to allow our small bear into his black cab, as he pedantically outlines in this patter song. But Jonathan Brown bests him with his encyclopaedic knowledge of the taxi driver’s code – plus an even faster patter section.

“Don’t Touch That”

An excited Paddington just wants to explore all the interesting objects in the Browns’ house, but he unwittingly causes absolute chaos. The family’s panicked song falls on deaf (furry) ears as Paddington charges around. The lyric “don’t touch that” is also then poignantly used in a conversation between Mr and Mrs Brown about the emotional issues they can’t seem to discuss.

“One Page at a Time”

Mrs Brown is a brilliant artist who creates comic books teeming with kickass superheroes – all of which spills out into the Savoy Theatre auditorium. But, in this powerful ballad, she expresses how much she’d love to emulate those superheroes in her real life, matching their courage, strength, and impact on the world. Or at least on her own family.

“Pretty Little Dead Things”

This dramatic number is our utterly fabulous introduction to the show’s colourful villain, explorer’s daughter and fanatical taxidermist Millicent Clyde. She reveals that her father never brought her any souvenirs from his expeditions – and never showed his love either – so now she relishes stuffing dead animals for her collection. It’s very bad news for Paddington…

“The Rhythm of London”

The Browns’ neighbours, Tanya and son Tony, explain to Paddington the wonders of the rich cultural melting pot that is London – a city that thrives because of its diversity, so is perfect for a newcomer like him. This gloriously exuberant song, rooted in Caribbean rhythms, builds out into an incredible citywide celebration.

“Hard Stare”

Do not mess with the bear. He may be softly spoken, but if you’re rude to him, he might just fix you with (gasp!) a hard stare. This energetic rock number sees Paddington make short work of the snooty Geographers’ Guild members thanks to the biggest weapon in his arsenal, as the Brown family help him search for his fabled explorer.

“The Explorer and the Bear”

Paddington's big “I want” song is this soaring, yearning ballad, in which he expresses his deepest wish that said explorer will turn out to be the family he’s seeking, that he will welcome and appreciate our bear, and they will become the perfect team. Alas, Paddington is instead about to walk into a trap.

“Risky Business”

Mr Brown attempts to reconnect with his youth, and his wife, by breaking out his “Bad Boy Brown” persona with this rocking performance during his company’s posh do at the Savoy Hotel. It’s an exciting change of pace for our fearful risk analyst, as he throws caution to the wind. Unfortunately, a Paddington-related mishap curtails his show.

“One of Us”

In this lovely ballad, Mrs Brown comes to understand just how central Paddington is to their lives: “How come I can’t paint the future / Without him in it?”. She also realises that the bear is already family – he’s “one of us”. But her beautiful sentiment is juxtaposed with the terrible realisation that Paddington is gone.

“Marmalade”

The big Act II opener is the song that you will definitely get stuck in your head for days (possibly weeks, months or years!) – and it’s an absolute joy. Grumpy Mr Curry is completely won over by Paddington’s favourite snack: marmalade. This delirious, Golden Age Hollywood-esque production number boasts giant dancing oranges: it’s as if Busby Berkeley got really hyped in the preserves aisle.

“Worth the Work”

This thoughtful song encapsulates one of the big themes of the show: that relationships take work. It’s been a problem for the Browns, who are coasting through life without really communicating. Here their wise lodger Mrs Bird, a widow, reminds Mr Brown of the importance of putting the time in with your loved ones before it’s too late.

“Where’s Paddington?”

Our favourite bear is missing! In a tense number, the Brown family and the residents of Windsor Gardens search all over London for Paddington, who is out there on his own and has no idea that the explorer he’s seeking isn’t actually there to be found. It’s the more sombre bookend to Act I’s ensemble number “The Rhythm of London”.

“Everything You Never Were”

Boo hiss… The evil Millicent Clyde has Paddington in her clutches, and she gets another glorious Cruella de Vil-style showcase in which to rage against her late father and promise to outdo him with her great find: a certain Peruvian bear. Add pyrotechnics and this is one red-hot number.

“It’s Never Too Late”

Mrs Bird distracts Millicent’s henchman, put-upon assistant Grant, by encouraging to follow his dreams instead of working for a baddie. In fact, her fabulous, razzle-dazzle showstopper (think jazzy greats like Chicago) winds up inspiring her to take her own advice too: it’s never too late to go on another adventure. Especially when you can still do the splits!

“Aunt Lucy’s Prayer”

This heartbreaking song arrives when Paddington is at his most despairing, and he imagines himself back in the jungle with his beloved Aunt Lucy. Her prayer was that he would find a wonderful new home and a family to love him, but right now he believes he doesn’t have either.

“The Geographers’ Guild”

We’ve enjoyed the scene-stealing, ultra-posh Lady Sloane, head of the Geographers’ Guild, throughout the show, and now she gets her own hilarious throwback number, along with all her stalwart members. This is a total hoot, complete with a classic kickline and more hats than A Chorus Line.

“Unstoppable”

It’s the Browns to the rescue! Together they are – you guessed it – unstoppable, and this disconnected clan have finally learnt how to work together and actually communicate, thanks to Paddington. This crack team infiltrates the Natural History Museum to save our bear.

“Missing Beat”

This beautiful paean to Paddington comes at a moment of high jeopardy, as the Browns come to appreciate how special he is and how much they need him – their lives just wouldn’t be the same without him. But is it too late?

“Dear Aunt Lucy”

Hurrah! Paddington is saved, and the residents of Windsor Gardens are honouring him with a party. His closing letter to Aunt Lucy, which echoes his first one in “I’m Arrived”, illustrates how far Paddington has come: he now has a family, a surname, a neighbourhood, and a city that fully accepts him. London is looking after this bear.

Book Paddington The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Photo credit: Paddington The Musical (Photos by Johan Persson)