Tom Fletcher, the renowned musician and member of the bands McFly and Busted, has announced an exciting new venture: a stage musical based on the beloved Paddington bear. This new production will premiere this November. It’s sure to provide a new experience for fans of Michael Bond’s charming tales.
The musical is based more directly on Bond’s original novels. Just as they’ve won the devotion of millions of readers for generations. The original story, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958. Since then, Bond has penned 28 more books featuring this cherished character. The last installment of this series, Paddington at St Paul’s, was published posthumously in 2018. Overall, the Paddington tales have overwhelmingly positive sales stats in their favor, having sold more than 35 million copies around the globe.
Fletcher was invited to consider the project while in one of those first, deep initial Covid lockdowns in early 2020. Unsure of what to expect, but instantly inspired, he started writing songs for the show soon after officially receiving the offer. “Having something that everybody knows but no-one’s heard what it sounds like yet is a really exciting thing to be able to work on,” Fletcher stated. It was a dream come true for him, and his passion for the project is evident in his dedication. His drive to build a successful musical experience for old fans and new audiences continues.
Jessica Swale works with Fletcher to adapt the story into a musical format. At the same time, Luke Sheppard holds the reins of the fast-paced production as director. Our fearless producer Eliza Lumley has been central to realizing this ambitious project’s launch. Collaboratively, they’re both trying to respect the source material while bringing it to life with “a lot of new, juicy material.”
Swale explained the importance of balancing respect for Paddington’s legacy while adding new dimensions to the story. Of course the Browns are still a part of it, and familiar faces like Mr. Gruber and Mr. Curry, but there are many new people too. We’ve been very inspired by the books and the films but we like to think we’re covering new territory,” she remarked.
The musical’s purpose goes beyond entertainment as it seeks to highlight important social themes. Swale acknowledged that Paddington’s origins as a refugee serve as key elements to his character. “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,” she noted.
Naples’ importance ran deep for Fletcher, and when discussing the project’s impact, his commitment to the endeavor is tangible. “I feel like this show is so ready to be out in the world, it’s the most special thing I’ve ever been a part of in my whole life,” he said. His excitement is matched by his desire to do justice to Michael Bond’s legacy: “I really hope that I’ve done everyone who loves Paddington justice… This is so different to anything I’ve ever done before.”
With the opening date now fast approaching Fletcher will be hitting the road with McFly and Busted. This tour stacks a whole new level of difficulty onto his already packed itinerary. Yet he is undaunted and absolutely focused on making sure that the musical lives up to the anticipation.
Eliza Lumley shares Fletcher’s enthusiasm for the project: “We’re bringing a lot of new flavors to the table, but of course we’re all in love with the original material, so we’ve been faithful to our cast of characters.” The collaborative effort among Fletcher, Swale, Sheppard, and Lumley aims to create a theatrical experience that resonates deeply with audiences.
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