Picture: Jay Brooks
The producers of Paddington The Musical have finally revealed the identity of those charged with bringing the marmalade sandwich-loving bear to life as the world premiere production plays a series of preview performances at London’s Savoy Theatre ahead of its official opening night on 30 November.
Paddington is played by James Hameed (Paddington off-stage performer and remote puppeteer) and Arti Shah (Paddington on-stage performer). The team behind the bear is made up of Tahra Zafar (Paddington Bear designer), Audrey Brisson (bear physicality associate director), Phill Woodfine (remote puppetry coach) and Annabelle Davis (Paddington Bear casting director). The Alternate Paddington on-stage performers are Abbie Purvis and Ali Sarebani.
Commenting on the final piece of the Paddington The Musical puzzle, producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley said: “After many years of exploration and development, we are thrilled, alongside StudioCanal, to finally bring Paddington to life on stage. It takes an extraordinary team to share this very special bear with the world — our amazing performers James and Arti, our brilliant alternates Abbie and Ali, and the incredible group of artists led by designer Tahra, alongside Audrey, Phill and Annabelle.
“Their collective creativity and vision are at the heart of our production, and it has been a true collaboration, helmed by Luke Sheppard, our creative, associate, stage management, production and development teams involved in supporting us in bringing Paddington to life in a truly beautiful and unique way.
“What we as producers always hoped to achieve was, quite simply, Paddington on stage — and thanks to the immensely talented artists, both on and off stage, we believe we’ve realised that.”
Originally booking until 25 May 2026, the production has already been extended until 25 October 2026.
Developed by Sonia Friedman Productions, StudioCanal and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK, the musical features Timi Akinyosade (professional stage debut) as Tony, Amy Booth-Steel (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Chichester Festival Theatre, Heathers, Theatre Royal Haymarket) as Lady Sloane, Tarinn Callender (Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Chichester Festival Theatre) as Grant, Delilah Bennett-Cardy (Bugsy Malone, UK tour, School of Rock, Gillian Lynne Theatre) as Judy Brown, Adrian Der Gregorian (Made in Dagenham, Adelphi Theatre, Roman Holiday, Theatre Royal Bath) as Mr Brown, Tom Edden (Waiting for Godot, Theatre Royal Haymarket, Matilda, Cambridge Theatre) as Mr Curry, Brenda Edwards (Chicago, UK tour, We Will Rock You, London Coliseum/Dominion Theatre) as Tanya, Amy Ellen Richardson (Extraordinary Women, Jermyn Street Theatre, Sweet Charity, Donmar Warehouse) as Mrs Brown, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Hadestown, Lyric Theatre, Hex, National Theatre) as Millicent Clyde, Teddy Kempner (Girl from the North Country, The Old Vic/UK tour, Cabaret, Playhouse Theatre) as Mr Gruber and Bonnie Langford (Sondheim’s Old Friends, West End/Los Angeles/Broadway, Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre) as Mrs Bird. The role of Jonathan Brown is shared by Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare and Jasper Rowse.
The cast also includes Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, David Birch, Aimée Fisher, Jacqueline Hughes, Kellianna Jay, Sam Lathwood, Natasha Leaver, Katie Lee, Sunny Lee, Vicki Lee Taylor, Jáiden Lodge, Andilé Mabhena, Rose Mary O’Reilly, Ben Redfern, Hugo Rolland and Simon Shorten.
Adapted from Michael Bond’s much-loved tales of the little bear from ‘deepest darkest Peru’, along with the award-winning films by StudioCanal and Heyday Films, the musical which features music and lyrics by McFly’s Tom Fletcher and a book by Jessica Swale is directed by Luke Sheppard.
The creative team also includes: Matt Brind (musical supervisor, orchestrations and arrangements), Ellen Kane (choreographer), Tom Pye (scenic designer), Gabriella Slade (costume designer), Neil Austin (lighting designer), Gareth Owen (sound designer), Ash J Woodward (video designer and animation), Campbell Young Associates (hair, wig and make-up designer), Majid Adin (illustration and additional animation), Laura Bangay (musical director), Natalie Gallacher for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting (casting director), Nick Hockaday (young persons’ casting director), Javier Marzan (physical comedy consultant and Tobago & D-Lime (additional music consultants).
Bond’s first book A Bear Called Paddington was published on 13 October 1958 by William Collins & Sons (now Harper Collins). Since its first publication, the Paddington Books series have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over 40 different languages, including Latin.
Angela Thomas
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