‘There Were Gasps… People Were Crying’: Tim Bano on Paddington’s stunning West End debut

With music by Tom Fletcher, a script by Jessica Swale, and direction by Luke Sheppard, the show blends humour, heart, and theatrical spectacle. From swooning ballads to villainous antics, every element is crafted with attention to detail, including the extraordinary set by Tom Pye and projections by Ash Woodward. Audience reactions confirm it is working: people leave smiling, emotional, and often humming Paddington’s tunes.