Overview
- The production began West End performances November 1 at the Savoy Theatre, releasing a first-look video and photos of the bear in his blue coat and red hat.
- Paddington stands about 1.2 metres tall with a rounded build, wavy caramel fur, and a white snout topped by a brown nose.
- The role is shared by two artists: Arti Shah performs in the padded suit while James Hameed delivers the voice and puppeteers the facial expressions remotely.
- Creature designer Tahra Zafar, recommended by Neal Scanlan, drew on Peggy Fortnum’s illustrations to create a look that balances warmth with theatrical credibility.
- Producers cited the role’s physical demands across eight shows a week, naming Abbie Purvis and Ali Sarebani as alternates, with opening night set for November 30 under director Luke Sheppard and a score by Tom Fletcher with a book by Jessica Swale.