Cast News: Paddington

Cast News: Paddington

21-08-25

Rehearsals are officially underway for the world premiere of Paddington the Musical, which opens at the Savoy Theatre on Sunday 30 November, following previews from Saturday 1 November. Producers Sonia Friedman Productions, StudioCanal and Eliza Lumley Productions this week confirmed the principal cast and creative team – with one key name still to be revealed.

The Brown family will be played by Adrian Der Gregorian as Mr Brown, Amy Ellen Richardson as Mrs Brown, Delilah Bennett-Cardy as Judy, and Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare and Jasper Rowse sharing the role of Jonathan. Bonnie Langford takes the role of Mrs Bird, with Brenda Edwards as Tanya. Victoria Hamilton-Barritt joins the company as Millicent Clyde, and Tom Edden as Mr Curry. Teddy Kempner will play Mr Gruber. The cast also features Timi Akinyosade as Tony, marking his professional stage debut, alongside Amy Booth-Steel as Lady Sloane and Tarinn Callender as Grant.

The production is directed by Luke Sheppard, known for & Juliet and The Little Big Things, with a book by Olivier Award-winning playwright Jessica Swale and music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher. The wider creative team includes Matt Brind as Musical Supervisor, Orchestrator and Arranger, Ellen Kane as Choreographer, Tom Pye as Scenic Designer, Gabriella Slade as Costume Designer, Neil Austin as Lighting Designer, Gareth Owen as Sound Designer, Ash J Woodward as Video Designer and Animator, Campbell Young Associates as Hair, Wig and Make-Up Designers, Majid Adin for Illustration and additional Animation, Laura Bangay as Musical Director, Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting as Casting Directors, Nick Hockaday as Young Persons’ Casting Director, and Javier Marzan as Physical Comedy Consultant. Tobago and D-Lime are credited as Additional Music Consultants. The designer responsible for creating Paddington himself has yet to be announced.

Notably absent from this announcement is the casting of Paddington. Producers confirmed that the identity of the actor – as well as the Bear Designer and Bear Creative Team – will be revealed at a later date, with the first preview expected to introduce the character on stage. Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley said: “Having had the immense privilege to work with Tom, Jessica and Luke to create and develop this brand-new musical over several years, it’s incredibly exciting to be starting rehearsals with this extraordinary company. We can’t wait until the first preview, when we will reveal who will be playing Paddington, and the brilliant creative team who are responsible for bringing this very special bear to life on stage.”

Anna Marsh, CEO of StudioCanal, Chief Content Officer of Canal+ and Deputy CEO of Canal+, added: “We are so proud to announce our brilliantly talented company today as we look forward to Paddington’s highly anticipated stage debut in London’s West End. As with our films and series, we have put such genuine care into Paddington the Musical to ensure that audiences will truly delight in Paddington’s next adventure. It’s a true privilege for everyone at StudioCanal to be part of Paddington’s legacy.”

Paddington the Musical is adapted from Michael Bond’s much-loved books and the award-winning StudioCanal films. Michael Bond’s first book, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958, beginning a series that would go on to include 29 titles, the final being Paddington at St Paul’s in 2018. More than 35 million copies have been sold worldwide. Paddington has since been adapted for television several times, beginning with the BBC’s 1976 stop-motion series and most recently with the Emmy Award-winning The Adventures of Paddington produced by StudioCanal. The character has also been the focus of three successful feature films: Paddington in 2014, Paddington 2 in 2017, and Paddington in Peru in 2024.

Audiences will have the chance to step into Windsor Gardens this autumn, as the Savoy Theatre welcomes a company of established stars and newcomers in this world premiere production. The full cast, including the actor who will play Paddington, will be confirmed in due course.

Get more details from the official site HERE