The marmalade is spreading across London’s West End. Producers have unveiled the expanded company for “Paddington the Musical,” the world premiere adaptation heading to London’s Savoy Theatre this fall.
Sonia Friedman Productions, Studiocanal and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music U.K. revealed the additional cast members joining the previously announced ensemble for the musical based on Michael Bond’s beloved bear.
One key casting element remains under wraps: the identity of Paddington himself, along with the bear designer and bear creative team, will be revealed on the first preview performance.
The production reunites several notable West End veterans, including Bonnie Langford as Mrs Bird, Brenda Edwards as Tanya, and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as villain Millicent Clyde. Tom Edden takes on the role of the Browns’ curmudgeonly neighbor Mr. Curry, while Teddy Kempner plays the kindly Mr. Gruber.
The Brown family will be portrayed by Amy Ellen Richardson and Adrian Der Gregorian as Mr. and Mrs. Brown, with Delilah Bennett-Cardy as daughter Judy. Four young actors — Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare and Jasper Rowse — will share the role of son Jonathan Brown.
Rounding out the company are 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.
The musical features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard. The creative team includes musical supervisor Matt Brind, choreographer Ellen Kane, and scenic designer Tom Pye.
“Paddington the Musical” begins previews Nov. 1, with booking currently extending through May 25, 2026. The production promises “show-stopping songs, dazzling choreography, mischief and mayhem at every turn — and of course, marmalade sandwiches.”
The musical draws from Bond’s original books and takes story inspiration from the 2014 Studiocanal film. Bond’s first “Paddington” book was published in 1958, launching a franchise that has sold over 35 million copies worldwide and spawned multiple TV adaptations and three feature films, including this year’s “Paddington in Peru.”
