Paddington Bear Headed for West End Stage This November with McFly Frontman’s Original Score

McFly frontman Tom Fletcher has unveiled details about the highly anticipated Paddington musical, describing the songs he’s composed for the beloved bear’s theatrical debut as “my favourite songs I’ve ever written.”

After five years in development, the marmalade-loving bear from Peru will take to the stage at London’s Savoy Theatre starting November 1st, producers confirmed today.

“There is something so magical about seeing Paddington step out onto the stage,” Fletcher told reporters. “I was about to say ‘in the flesh,’ but I guess ‘in the fur’ is more accurate.”

The 39-year-old singer-songwriter and children’s author recalled his immediate excitement when first approached about the project around the time of the initial COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020.

“When producer Eliza Lumley first called, I not only replied with a very fast ‘yes please,’ but began writing immediately,” Fletcher explained. “While still on the phone, I had the idea for a song and wrote it that very night. That composition remains in the show today.”

The stage adaptation draws inspiration from Michael Bond’s original book series, which has sold over 35 million copies worldwide since the first publication of “A Bear Called Paddington” in 1958. The musical follows the success of the recent film trilogy featuring Ben Whishaw as the voice of the animated character.

Scriptwriter Jessica Swale promises the production will offer “lots of juicy new material” while remaining faithful to the beloved characters from Bond’s world. “Of course the Browns are part of it, and familiar faces like Mr Gruber and Mr Curry, but there are a lot of new people as well,” she noted.

Swale also emphasized that the musical will explore the deeper themes underlying Paddington’s story. “Paddington is a refugee, so we want to honor the fact that he is somebody who migrates to the UK and doesn’t have a home, and make sure we are conscious of the experience of who he represents.”

While the creative team remains tight-lipped about exactly how they’ll bring Paddington to life on stage, Swale assured fans they won’t be disappointed. “Every single time I see Paddington for the first time, it makes me cry. I think he’s completely magic, and to me, he’s very real.”

And for those concerned about Paddington’s most iconic culinary preference? “You can rest easy,” Swale laughed. “Marmalade features not only in the book and the lyrics, but physically on stage in a spectacular way.”

Fletcher will be juggling a hectic schedule when the musical opens, as he’ll be on tour with McFly and Busted at the time. “I’ll be going from touring with the band and then rushing back to London to fit it all in,” he explained. “I might get confused and start singing Paddington songs on stage with McFly.”

The musical represents a significant addition to the Paddington franchise, which has expanded from Bond’s original novels to include television adaptations, merchandise, and the critically acclaimed film series.

Tickets for “Paddington: The Musical” are expected to go on sale next month.