Paddington The Musical is set to make its highly anticipated debut on Broadway next year, following a record-breaking run in London’s West End.
The production, which garnered seven Olivier Awards at the Savoy Theatre in 2026 – tying the record for the most won by a musical in the awards’ history – will open at New York’s Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 30 March 2027.
McFly’s Tom Fletcher, who composed the music for the show, expressed his profound excitement for the transatlantic move. "It has been the greatest adventure of my career to be entrusted with bringing Paddington’s story to life on stage alongside my brilliant creative collaborators Jessica (Swale, writer), Luke (Sheppard, director) and our producers Sonia and Eliza," he stated.
"The response from West End audiences of all ages has been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. 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."
Inspired by Michael Bond’s beloved children’s books and the three successful films, the musical chronicles the adventures of the small bear from Peru.
After a chance encounter at London’s Paddington station, he is taken in by the Brown family, who must later protect him from the villainous taxidermist Millicent Clyde.
Writer Jessica Swale shared her enthusiasm for the New York premiere: "I couldn’t be more excited to bring Paddington to New York. As a city that breathes theatre, storytelling and imagination, Broadway is the perfect place to celebrate this exuberant and heart-filled story. I can’t wait. Let’s just hope Paddington loves Big Apples as much as he loves oranges."
A distinctive feature of the production is its titular character, brought to life by a sophisticated puppet. A two-person team operates the bear, with James Hameed serving as the remote puppeteer, controlling expressions and delivering the voice, while Arti Shah embodies the character on stage.
The musical’s popularity has already led to its soundtrack being released on streaming services a month ahead of schedule due to overwhelming demand.
The marmalade-loving bear has also made several high-profile public appearances, including presenting an award at the Bafta Film Awards in February and posing on Abbey Road’s iconic zebra crossing in April. The stage bear even met the Prince and Princess of Wales at this year’s Royal Variety Performance, where marmalade sandwiches were reportedly a topic of discussion.
Paddington’s enduring appeal stretches back to his first publication on 13 October 1958, leading to numerous adaptations, from the 1976 BBC TV series voiced by Sir Michael Hordern to the recent blockbuster films of 2014, 2017, and 2024.
The character famously shared a comedy sketch with Queen Elizabeth II for her Platinum Jubilee, where she revealed her penchant for keeping marmalade sandwiches in her handbag. Following her death in 2022, mourners left Paddington cuddly toys and marmalade sandwiches as tributes outside Buckingham Palace.
Tickets for Paddington The Musical’s Broadway run are currently available for purchase via the musical’s official website.
