Overview
- Previews started November 1 at London’s Savoy Theatre, with the official opening scheduled for November 30.
- Paddington is portrayed by on-stage performer Arti Shah, while James Hameed provides the voice and remotely puppeteers the bear’s facial expressions.
- The bear was designed by Tahra Zafar, with support from Audrey Brisson as bear physicality associate director, Phill Woodfine as remote puppetry coach, and Annabelle Davis as casting director; Abbie Purvis and Ali Sarebani serve as on‑stage alternates.
- The production features a book by Jessica Swale, music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, and direction by Luke Sheppard, produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, STUDIOCANAL and Eliza Lumley Productions.
- The reveal of the bear drew emotional responses from early audiences and went viral on TikTok and X, generating widespread interest.