Paddington Bear casting and musical creative team announced
- Alice White
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
First look revealed- Marmalade Sandwiches at the ready !
The first images of Paddington and the team bringing him to the stage, have been revealed.
The performers playing Paddington are James Hameed (Paddington off-stage performer and remote puppeteer) and Arti Shah (Paddington on-stage performer). Abbie Purvis and Ali Sarebani are the alternate Paddington on-stage performers. The team responsible for the bear includes Tahra Zafar (Paddington bear designer), Audrey Brisson (Bear physicality associate director), Phill Woodfine (remote puppetry coach), and Annabelle Davis (Paddington bear casting director).
Producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley commented on the reveal, stating: “After many years of exploration and development, we are thrilled, alongside StudioCanal, to finally bring Paddington to life on stage. It takes an extraordinary team to share this very special bear with the world – our amazing performers James and Arti, our brilliant alternates Abbie and Ali, and the incredible group of artists led by designer Tahra, alongside Audrey, Phill, and Annabelle.
“Their collective creativity and vision are at the heart of our production, and it has been a true collaboration, helmed by Luke Sheppard, our creative, associate, stage management, production and development teams involved in supporting us in bringing Paddington to life in a truly beautiful and unique way. What we as producers always hoped to achieve was, quite simply, Paddington on stage – and thanks to the immensely talented artists, both on and off stage, we believe we’ve realised that.”
The new musical features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher and book by Jessica Swale, and is directed by Sheppard. It is based on A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond and the film Paddington, by special arrangement with Studiocanal.
The full cast includes Timi Akinyosade (Tony), Amy Booth-Steel (Lady Sloane), Tarinn Callender (Grant), Delilah Bennett-Cardy (Judy Brown), Adrian Der Gregorian (Mr Brown), Tom Edden (Mr Curry), Brenda Edwards (Tanya), Amy Ellen Richardson (Mrs Brown), Hameed (Paddington off-stage performer and remote puppeteer, and Young Man), Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Millicent Clyde), Teddy Kempner (Mr Gruber), Bonnie Langford (Mrs Bird), Shah (Paddington on-stage performer), with Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare and Jasper Rowsesharing the role of Jonathan Brown, and alternate Paddington on-stage performers Abbie Purvis and Ali Sarebani.
The ensemble includes 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, Simon Shorten, and Hassan Taj.
The creative team includes Matt Brind (musical supervisor, orchestrations and arrangements), Ellen Kane (choreographer), Tom Pye (scenic designer), Gabriella Slade (costume designer), Tahra Zafar (Paddington Bear designer), Neil Austin (lighting designer), Gareth Owen (sound designer), Ash J Woodward (video designer and animation), Campbell Young Associates (hair, wig and make-up designer), Majid Adin (illustration and additional animation), Laura Bangay (musical director), Natalie Gallacher for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting (casting director), Nick Hockaday (young persons’ casting director), Davis (Paddington casting director), Javier Marzan (physical comedy consultant), Tobago Crusoe and Felix Ruiz (additional music consultants).
The musical tells the story of the lost bear from Peru who arrives in London and finds a new home with the Brown family at Windsor Gardens. The plot involves a chance encounter, the challenges London presents, and the Browns’ mission to rescue Paddington when he is targeted by a villain, leading them to realise their need for the bear. The production is based on Michael Bond’s characters with a story inspired by the 2014 film.
Paddington books, beginning with A Bear Called Paddington in 1958, have sold over 35 million copies worldwide. Paddington has been adapted for television by the BBC and in the Emmy Award-winning series The Adventures of Paddington by StudioCanal. StudioCanal has also produced three films: Paddington (2014), Paddington 2(2017), and Paddington in Peru (2024).
The production has also extended its booking period, now running until 25 October 2026.
