Paddington to be adapted into new musical

The musical is slated for 2025 and has a creative team including McFly’s Tom Fletcher, Olivier-winner Jessica Swale and West End director Luke Sheppard.

Michael Bond’s Paddington is to be turned into a new musical, coinciding with the much-loved book’s 65th anniversary. A UK premiere is planned for 2025.

The musical will have music and lyrics by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, book by Olivier-award winning writer and director Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet, The Big Little Things).

“It is a privilege to be creating a new musical about this gorgeous and beloved little bear with such a wonderful team. The magic of Paddington is that, through his wide-eyed innocence, he sees the very best in humanity, reminding us that love and kindness can triumph if we open our hearts and minds to one another,” said Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley, who are producing the new Paddington musical.

They continued: “We cannot wait to bring Paddington, his antics, adventures and mishaps with the Brown family, and Michael Bond’s other treasured characters to the stage. We hope to inspire audiences of all ages with fun, beauty, joy, and all that Paddington stands for.”

Paddington was adapted for the screen in 2014 and its cast includes Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, and Nicole Kidman. A second film – Paddington 2 – was released in 2017, with Hugh Grant joining the cast. A third film called Paddington in Peru will be released on 8 November.

Full creative team, casting, venue and dates for the musical are to be announced.

Photo credit: Paddington. (Photo by StudioCanal)