London’s Paddington Bear musical is coming to Broadway in Spring 2027 after winning seven Oliver Awards in London’s West End, tying with the record number of Olivers won for a musical.
The story of the beloved marmalade-loving bear has seen many adaptations, starting as children’s books written by Michael Bond to three-part sensation film series. The musical director Luke Sheppard received a 2026 Oliver Award for ‘Best Director’ and will now go on to direct ‘Rent’ in the West End. ‘Paddington: The Musical’ premiered at the Savoy Theatre on the 1st of November 2025 and standard tickets in London have sold out until February 2027.
Sheppard admired the character’s approach to life with “curiosity, kindness and an unwavering sense of adventure - and what an adventure Broadway will be.”
Paddington Bear, a well-known name in British culture and beyond, is controlled in this musical by two puppeteers: James Hameed and Arti Shah. The story of the gracious bear navigating his way around London and meeting the Brown family after his journey from Peru captivates many hearts worldwide.
The musical will begin its debut at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in Broadway after ‘Moulin Rouge’ finishes its run of seven years. It will start its performances on the 30th of March 2027.
Paddington The Musical, The Savoy Theatre, London, England
The London Theatre lists its cast that includes actors Timi Akinyosade, Amy Booth-Steel, Tarinn Callender, Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Adrian Der Gregorian, Tom Edden, Brenda Edwards, Amy Ellen Richardson, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Teddy Kempner, Bonnie Langford, Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare, and Jasper Rowse.
Its music and lyrics were by Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale, direction by Luke Sheppard, choreography by Ellen Kane, scenic design by Tom Pye, costume design by Gabrielle Slade, lighting design by Neil Austin, sound design by Gareth Owen, and musical supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Matt Brind.
Playwright Jessica Swale said she hopes Paddington “loves ‘Big Apples’ as much as he loves oranges.”
“As a city that breathes theatre, storytelling and imagination, Broadway is the perfect place to celebrate this exuberant and heart-filled story.”
Tom Fletcher, who composed the music for the production described the response from West End audiences as “unlike anything” he had ever experienced with an overwhelming response from audiences of all ages. He said it had been “the greatest adventure” of his career so far.
“It’s a great privilege to welcome New York audiences into Paddington’s world of curiosity and I am absolutely thrilled at the opportunity for this very rare and special bear to be on Broadway.”
