Paddington: The Musical, a celebrated production from London's West End, is set to make its Australian debut in September 2027 at Sydney's Capitol Theatre. The show, which has been delighting audiences in London since 2025, will run for 10 weeks in the iconic venue.
While Sydney is confirmed as the first Australian city to host the musical, dates for other cities across the country remain under wraps. The production is based on Michael Bond's beloved 1958 book, A Bear Called Paddington, and the popular film adaptations that followed. The story of the endearing bear from Peru, who finds a home with the Brown family near London's Paddington Station, has captured hearts worldwide.
The musical has garnered critical acclaim, receiving numerous five-star reviews, including from the Guardian. A standout feature of the show is the state-of-the-art animatronic puppet that brings Paddington to life, designed by costume designer Tahra Zafar. In London, the bear is portrayed by James Hameed, who provides the voice and operates the puppet remotely, and Arti Shah, who dons the costume.
This year, Paddington: The Musical achieved a remarkable feat by winning seven Olivier awards, tying the record for the most wins by any musical. The accolades included best new musical, a shared best actor in a musical award for Hameed and Shah, and best set design. The production also claimed nine WhatsOnStage awards and the Critics’ Circle award for best new musical.
The show is slated to continue its run in London until at least 2028 and is set to premiere on Broadway in April 2027. Producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley expressed their excitement about bringing the musical to Sydney, citing the city's enthusiasm for world-class theatre and the affection Australians have for Paddington.
“From the outset, we have wanted Paddington The Musical to open only in cities where it can be produced with the same ambition, care and theatrical scale as in London. Paddington’s journey across the world in search of a new home – and his discovery that home can be found through kindness, acceptance and a sense of belonging – feels particularly resonant for Australian audiences, ” they stated.
Composer Tom Fletcher described the project as “the greatest adventure of my career.” He shared his excitement about bringing the show to Sydney, noting his fond memories of writing, recording, and touring in Australia. “I am so excited to have the opportunity to bring our show to Sydney and share this very rare and special bear with Australian audiences, ” he added.
