THEATRE AND STAGE 69
A SPOONFUL OF MARMALADE MAGIC
A bear, a suitcase and a West End stage: how Paddington The Musical blends heart-warming storytelling with high-end theatre technology
Words Verity Butler
T here are very few fictional well meaning, slightly bewildered by the world around him and permanently optimistic, he has been quietly shaping childhoods since the late fifties. What began as a simple story about a small bear from Peru has evolved into a multi- generational icon, and one that now feels completely at home under the bright lights of London’s West End. Paddington ’s journey began in 1958, when author Michael Bond introduced the world to a duffle-coated bear found at Paddington station, clutching just a suitcase and a note that read: ‘Please look after this bear.’ The books quickly became classics, prized for their gentle humour and warmth. Decades later, the Paddington story experienced a remarkable renaissance thanks to the three hugely successful Hollywood film adaptations. Against all expectations, the films didn’t just work, they soared. With their expert blend of heartfelt storytelling and visual flair, the Paddington movies became box office hits, introducing the bear to an entirely new global audience while deepening characters who feel as deeply woven into British cultural life as Paddington Bear. Polite, the affection of long-time fans. Few franchises have managed to bridge nostalgia and modernity so well.
Behind the scenes there
Now, Paddington has taken his next step: live musical theatre. And not to just anywhere, but to the impressive grandeur of the Savoy Theatre, where Paddington The Musical has arrived as a joyful and technically ambitious production that feels both timeless and thoroughly contemporary. Directed by Luke Sheppard, Paddington The Musical balances spectacle with sincerity. Sheppard’s approach is rooted in making the technical side of the production disappear so that the audience never feels the extensive machinery at work behind the scenes. He commented on this, when approached by LIVE : “Behind the scenes there is groundbreaking technical work happening, but on stage you believe in this extraordinary bear who lives and breathes there with you. That is the key to this show, the invisible work that allows us to suspend all disbelief and let Paddington stand alone. I’m so grateful to all the people who have helped make that happen.” A STORY DESTINED TO BE SUNG At its core, Paddington The Musical stays beautifully faithful to the essence of Bond’s original creation. It tells the story of a small, lost bear from Peru who arrives in London in search of a new home and
eventually finds the Brown family and the world of Windsor Gardens. Musically, the show is driven by an almost continuous score, giving it a propulsive, cinematic feel. That musical sensibility comes from an unexpected but inspired source: Tom Fletcher, best understanding of melody and emotional pacing to the show. His score is playful without being saccharine, and is packed with tunes that feel instantly accessible. known as a member of McFly. Fletcher brings an instinctive There’s a pop sensibility at work, but it’s cleverly adapted to suit theatrical storytelling, allowing character and narrative to remain front and centre. A PUPPET THAT STOLE THE INTERNET’S HEART Of course, no discussion of Paddington The Musical would be complete without talking about the bear himself and, more specifically, the extraordinary robotic puppet that has quietly become one of the show’s most talked-about stars. In the weeks following the musical’s opening night, short clips of Paddington waddling, waving, tilting his head and simply being Paddington began circulating online. A sophisticated puppet brought to life by a talented team, Paddington Bear comprises an on-stage performer (Arti Shah) in a suit, a voice actor/remote puppeteer (James Hameed) controlling facial expressions and voice, and the use of advanced animatronics to achieve expressive movement. The result is a unique blend of human performance and puppetry. What makes the puppet truly compelling is not showy mechanics is groundbreaking technical work, but on stage you believe in this extraordinary bear
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