Paddington to be adapted into new musical

Paddington, UK’s most beloved bear, is being adapted into a major new musical.

The show is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Studiocanal and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK.

The musical, which is set for a 2025 release, is being adapted from the original books written by Michael Bond and the popular film series, produced by Studiocanal and Heyday Films.


The music and lyrics for the show will be written by McFly’s Tom Fletcher. Jessica Swale, Olivier Award-winning playwright, will be writing the script for the show that will be directe by Luke Sheppard (“& Juliet,” “The Little Big Things”).

“It is a privilege to be creating a new musical about this gorgeous and beloved little bear with such a wonderful team,” Friedman and Lumley said in a statement.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Studiocanal CEO Ann Marsh: “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. They have opened their hearts to show a deep understanding and passion for Paddington that will no doubt transpire on stage and ensure that his adventures, created by Michael Bond over 60 years ago, continue to charm audiences in such a new and innovative way.”

The pair of film adaptations of Paddington, featuring the voice of Ben Whishaw, have enjoyed significant box office success. A third installment, titled "Paddington in Peru," is slated for release next year.

Bond's inaugural book in the series, "A Bear Called Paddington," saw its publication in October 1958. Subsequently, the books have achieved remarkable success, with over 35 million copies sold worldwide and translations into 40 languages.