London Theatre Review: Paddington The Musical

On Christmas Eve, 1956, a BBC cameraman was drawn to a lone forlorn-looking bear he bought as a gift for his wife from a department store. Who would have imagined that nearly 70 years later, the chance encounter experienced by the late Michael Bond would create such an enduring legacy and give the world the universally beloved Paddington Bear.

Years in the making, Paddington The Musical captures the very essence of why the marmalade-loving character has been so cherished by people of all ages across the world, ever since the first of his adventures was published. It’s a story of hope, belonging, family and above all, kindness - and the world could certainly do with more of that.

A magical stage debut at the Savoy Theatre

The atmosphere in the Savoy Theatre on a grey Monday night in London was electric. I can’t recall ever sensing such anticipation from a West End audience before the curtain went up. Perhaps it was because we were about to witness the world-famous bear in a major musical for the first time. And my word, was it worth the wait and goes down as one of the best shows I have ever seen. 

I can’t recall ever sensing such anticipation from a West End audience before the curtain went up.

Seeing Paddington step onto the stage was very moving. It was as if he had wandered off the page of a story book and out in front of our very eyes. The impact on the audience was visible in the wave of emotional reaction it caused, a ripple of gasps throughout the theatre. All around me, people were taken aback and some burst into tears at seeing this iconic character come to life right in front of us for what was a very special moment.

I don’t want to give too much away but the way our beloved bear comes to life (thanks to the two incredible performers we get to meet) is a true wonder; each outfit change (think smart jacket, party hat and my personal favourite, the Marmalade-inspired suit) prompted an echo of ‘ahhhhs’ across the audience, not least when he dons the famous red explorer hat and blue duffle-coat. You can’t help but fall in love with Paddington, and everything he represents, all over again - just like the Browns, the inhabitants of Windsor Gardens, and indeed London does throughout the performance. 

The perfect cast brings Windsor Gardens to life

The musical began and finished in Mr Gruber’s mysterious shop of curious things with the worldly wise and charming character played brilliantly by stage veteran Teddy Kempner. Not long after we were introduced to the Brown family, cast perfectly from the uptight and yet lovable Mr Brown (Adrian Der Gregorian) and the warm-hearted Mrs Brown (Amy Ellen Richardson) to the awkward yet wonderful Judy (Delilah Bennett-Cardy) and the cute yet intelligent Jonathan (Jasper Rowse). 

Boasting a real chemistry and connection, the cast gave us countless belly-laughs, not least the brilliantly performed Mr Curry (Tom Edden) and hilarious Lady Sloane (Amy Booth-Steel).

The humour is balanced with unexpected heartbreak and tender moments which, at times, caught me off guard, like the complicated relationship between mother and daughter (Mrs Brown and Judy) and the rekindled love so beautifully played out by Mr and Mrs Brown. Even the evil Millicent Clyde (with a stand-out performance by Victoria Hamilton-Barritt) shows a vulnerable side amidst the cruelty, and her catchy rendition of Pretty Little Dead Things is a definite ear-worm that will stay with me. 

Nothing short of stunning, the set changes seamlessly with dazzling projections to the side taking us all the way from the deepest, darkest Peru to the soaring skies of superheroes dreamed up by Mrs Brown. Every detail, big and small, has been thought through, whether it’s the registration plate on Mr Curry’s taxi or the missing posters printed in the search for Paddington. 

All around me, people were taken aback and some burst into tears at seeing this iconic character come to life right in front of us for what was a very special moment.

As I expected, the music and lyrics are a triumph from Tom Fletcher, who has penned a plethora of hit records for his band, McFly. The stand-out for me was the Rhythm of London, a spirited and energetic rendition taking us through some of the many things that make London the city it is - above all, its people, sense of community (even the ‘wonder’ of the M25 gets a mention). 

Like its marmalade-loving bear, Paddington The Musical is full of heart-warming delights and surprises along the way. From the burly guard Grant (Tarinn Callender) who bursts out into the most graceful of dance routines, or the eccentric Mrs Bird’s (Bonnie Langford) impressive moves, it’s a show that keeps on giving and you don’t know whether to laugh or cry. But what is clear is that the characters all want the same thing - to belong and to feel at home. 

A message of kindness for modern times

Just as the legacy of Paddington has travelled across borders throughout the world, spreading kindness and warmth, the musical breaks down barriers and showcases everything that is great about Great Britain - humour, compassion and spirit. “He’s one of us”, we hear in one of the many memorable songs.

Another tells us ‘nothing can compare to the explorer and the bear’ - just like nothing can compare to Paddington The Musical. Iconic, hopeful, celebratory - I have a feeling that the lonely bear picked from that shelf all those years ago, and brought to life by the brilliant author Michael Bond, will be in our hearts for a long while yet to come.