Paddington the Musical has finally released a first look at its eponymous bear.
The team behind the show has been very secretive about what Paddington will look like, only sharing the first glimpse during tonight’s preview (Saturday, November 1st).
This role requires both performing on stage and working behind the scenes. Actress Arti Shah, known for her work in Star Wars, will physically portray Paddington on stage. Meanwhile, theatre actor James Hameed, recently seen in the Live Aid musical, will bring Paddington to life through puppetry and voice work from off stage.
The creative team bringing Paddington Bear to life includes Tahra Zafar, who designed the bear, Audrey Brisson, responsible for the bear’s physical performance, Phill Woodfine, who coached the puppeteers remotely, and Annabelle Davis, who directed the casting for the role.
Producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley praised the team bringing this beloved bear to life. They highlighted the wonderful performances of James and Arti, as well as their talented alternates, Abbie and Ali. They also acknowledged the exceptional work of the creative team, led by designer Tahra, and including Audrey, Phill, and Annabelle.
The stunning and original production of Paddington is a result of incredible teamwork and imagination. Led by Luke Sheppard, our Creative, Stage Management, Production, and Development teams all worked together to bring this beloved character to life in a truly special way.
We always dreamed of bringing Paddington to the stage, and thanks to the incredible talent of everyone involved, we feel we’ve finally done it.
Paddington will be celebrated at a special premiere at the Savoy Theatre, alongside cast members including Bonnie Langford (known from Doctor Who) as Mrs. Bird, Adrian Der Gregorian as Mr. Brown, and Amy Ellen Richardson as Mrs. Brown.
We were responsible for caring for this bear – it was identified by the tag around its neck. Over the past five years, that’s what we’ve all focused on: protecting and preserving this incredible story and the bear’s unique personality as best we could.
“So we’re very very excited for everyone else to to see what we’ve done.”
You can see Paddington the Musical in preview starting November 1st, with the official opening night on December 1st. Tickets are available from £29 at LOVETheatre.
Don’t forget to explore top West End shows and discover 40 behind-the-scenes secrets of Les Misérables. Plus, find out how to get discounted tickets to Cadbury World!
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2025-11-01 23:34