Paddington Bear the musical: from Darkest Peru to a stage near you
Paddington Bear is to have his own stage musical, with music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, of the band McFly.
The stage show will be adapted from the classic children’s books by Michael Bond and the award-winning films featuring Ben Whishaw as the voice of the beloved bear from “Darkest Peru”.
The musical, which will have a book by Jessica Swale and will be directed by Luke Sheppard, is in the development and workshop stage, and is due to have its premiere in 2025.
Details of the full creative team, casting and dates will be announced later.
Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley, the show’s producers, said: “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.
“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.”
Anna Marsh, the chief executive of StudioCanal, which makes the films, said: “We could not be more delighted to see our beloved Paddington take to the stage shepherded by a talented and visionary team in Sonia and Eliza.”
Paddington, which was first published on Oct 13 1958, has seen a number of adaptations over the years, including a BBC TV version in 1976, voiced by Michael Hordern.
The bear’s status as a national icon was sealed by a sketch featuring Paddington taking tea with Queen Elizabeth II during the late monarch’s Platinum Jubilee last year.
The films, released in 2014 and 2017, have been box office hits and it was recently announced that a third, Paddington in Peru, will be released on Nov 8 2024.
Fletcher, who will write the music and lyrics, is a best-selling author of children’s books, as well as a member of boy band McFly.
He has also written and composed live shows The Christmasaurus and There’s A Monster In Your Show.