Expert Review: Why Paddington Is A Family Treasure

4.5
★★★★★

Expert Rating

The Verdict

Paddington The Musical captures everything we love about Michael Bond's beloved bear with warmth, humor, and genuine heart. This delightful production brings Paddington's adventures to life through engaging songs, charming performances, and the kind of wholesome storytelling that creates magical theatre memories for the whole family.

What Makes It Special

  • Faithful Adaptation: Stays true to the spirit of the original Paddington stories while adding musical theatre magic.
  • Family Appeal: Genuinely entertaining for both children and adults, with humor that works on multiple levels.
  • Charming Performances: Paddington comes to life through skilled puppetry and performance that captures his endearing personality.
  • Feel-Good Factor: A heartwarming story about kindness, family, and finding your place in the world.

Perfect For

Families with children of all ages (3+), fans of the Paddington books and films, anyone seeking wholesome entertainment, and those looking for their child's first theatre experience. The show's gentle humor and positive messages make it ideal for multi-generational audiences.

Everything You Need to Know

Paddington's London Adventure

Follow Paddington Bear as he arrives in London from Darkest Peru and is taken in by the kindly Brown family. Through a series of mishaps and adventures, Paddington learns about life in London while the Browns discover that sometimes the most unexpected arrivals bring the greatest joy. The musical captures Paddington's curiosity, politeness, and talent for getting into sticky situations.

What to Expect

  • Classic Paddington adventures brought to life with music and puppetry
  • The warmth and humor of the original stories
  • Familiar characters including Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Judy, Jonathan, and Mrs. Bird
  • Paddington's love of marmalade sandwiches and his famous hard stare
  • Themes of family, kindness, and accepting differences

Musical Highlights

  • "London is the Place for Me" - Paddington's arrival in the big city
  • "A Bear Like That" - The Browns' introduction to their new family member
  • "Marmalade Song" - Paddington's ode to his favorite food
  • "Please Look After This Bear" - The touching message from Aunt Lucy
  • "Home is Where the Heart Is" - The emotional finale about finding family

Musical Style: The score features catchy, accessible songs that children can sing along to, combined with more sophisticated musical numbers that will appeal to adults.

Practical Information

Show Times

  • Monday - Saturday: 7:30pm
  • Wednesday & Saturday: 2:30pm & 7:30pm
  • Sunday: 3:00pm
  • School Holidays: Additional matinee performances

Getting There

  • Train: Charing Cross Station (4 minutes walk)
  • Tube: Embankment, Covent Garden, or Leicester Square
  • Bus: Multiple routes to Strand and Aldwych

Family Information

  • Booster seats available for younger children
  • Baby changing facilities in the theatre
  • Family-friendly intervals with refreshments
  • Paddington merchandise available at the theatre