If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to take the kids to see Paddington The Musical in London’s West End, that moment is very much now and it’s going to last a good while longer than anyone expected!
The Olivier Award-winning show has just announced a massive extension, with performances now booking at the Savoy Theatre all the way through to 13 February 2028. That’s a whole extra year of dates added to an already-extended run, and it means families across the UK have plenty of time to plan the ultimate London theatre day out.
TL;DR: Paddington The Musical is playing at the Savoy Theatre, London, until 13 February 2028. Tickets start from £42. Recommended for ages 6+ (some sources say 4+). Running time is 2 hours 45 minutes including an interval. Best availability from February 2027 onwards.
Whether you’re a die-hard Paddington Bear fan or you’re simply looking for a brilliant day out in London that the whole family will remember, this is one show you absolutely cannot miss!
Why Has Paddington The Musical Extended Until 2028?
Simply put, families absolutely love it! Since officially opening on 30 November 2025 at the Savoy Theatre on the Strand, Paddington The Musical has been selling out at a remarkable rate, with reports of performances running at 95% capacity.
The show had already extended once to 14 February 2027, then again to 30 May 2027, before this latest announcement added a full extra year of performances to take bookings through to February 2028. That’s three extensions in quick succession, which tells you everything you need to know about how popular this show has become with London audiences.
This is one of the fastest-selling family musicals the West End has seen in years. If you’ve been putting off booking, the good news is that best availability is now from February 2027 onwards, giving you a brilliant window to plan ahead.
What Is Paddington The Musical About?
Based on Michael Bond’s much-loved children’s books, Paddington The Musical follows the story of a small, lost bear from Peru who arrives in London in search of a new home. A chance encounter with the Brown family leads him to the wonderful world of Windsor Gardens, where his adventures (and mishaps!) begin in earnest.
It’s the classic Paddington story that generations of families have adored, brought to life on stage with spectacular sets, original music, and some truly magical theatrical moments. And yes, Paddington himself is every bit as charming in person as you’d hope!
How Is Paddington Brought to Life on Stage?
This is one of the most talked-about aspects of the show. Paddington Bear is not a puppet! He’s played by two people working together in a brilliantly inventive way:
- Arti Shah (Star Wars, Attack the Block) performs the physical role, wearing the costume and bringing Paddington’s movement and choreography to life on stage.
- James Hameed works off-stage, providing Paddington’s voice and remotely controlling his facial expressions.
The result is a Paddington that feels genuinely alive, and audiences have been absolutely wowed by the technical wizardry involved. It’s one of those theatrical moments that kids (and adults!) will be talking about for weeks afterwards.
Paddington The Musical: Cast and Creative Team
The show boasts a seriously impressive cast, with music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher (yes, that Tom Fletcher from McFly!) and the book written by Olivier Award-winner Jessica Swale. It’s directed by Luke Sheppard, whose previous work includes the acclaimed &Juliet in the West End.
The Main Cast
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Paddington | Arti Shah (on stage) / James Hameed (voice & expressions) |
| Mrs Brown | Amy Ellen Richardson |
| Mr Brown | Adrian Der Gregorian |
| Judy Brown | Delilah Bennett-Cardy |
| Jonathan Brown | Joseph Bramley / Leo Collon / Stevie Hare / Jasper Rowse |
| Mrs Bird | Bonnie Langford |
| Mr Gruber | Teddy Kempner |
| Mr Curry | Tom Edden |
| Millicent Clyde | Victoria Hamilton-Barritt |
| Lady Sloane | Amy Booth-Steel |
| Grant | Tarinn Callender |
| Tanya | Brenda Edwards |
| Tony | Timi Akinyosade |
Bonnie Langford as Mrs Bird is an absolute treat, and the combination of Tom Fletcher’s original songs with Jessica Swale’s warm, witty storytelling has won over critics and audiences in equal measure.
Paddington The Musical Tickets: Everything You Need to Know
Here’s all the key practical info you need before you book!
At a Glance
| Venue | Savoy Theatre, Savoy Court, The Strand, London WC2R 0ET |
| Booking until | 13 February 2028 |
| Running time | 2 hours 45 minutes (including interval) |
| Age guidance | Recommended for ages 6+ (children under 3 cannot be admitted) |
| Ticket prices | From £42 |
| Best availability | From February 2027 onwards |
Performance Schedule
The show runs on the following days each week:
- Evening performances: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
- Matinee performances: Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
Tips for Booking
Book early for the best seats and prices. While the extension means there are plenty of dates to choose from, the most popular weekend matinees fill up quickly. For families with younger children, a Thursday or Sunday matinee is often a great choice.
If you’re flexible on dates, February 2027 onwards currently offers the widest selection of seats at the best standard prices. Premium VIP seats are also available for those who want to make it a really special occasion.
Ticket tip: Children under 3 cannot be admitted, and all guests (regardless of age) need their own ticket. Under-16s must be seated next to an accompanying adult.
Access Performances
Paddington The Musical has a fantastic range of accessible performances scheduled throughout the run, making it a brilliant option for families with additional needs. Here’s what’s available:
- Relaxed performances (reduced sound and lighting effects, a relaxed atmosphere): 5 June 2026, 11 September 2026, 7 May 2027, 10 September 2027
- Captioned performances (on-screen captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences): 27 September 2026, 28 February 2027, 12 September 2027
- Signed performances (BSL interpretation): 20 September 2026, 14 March 2027, 19 September 2027
- Audio described performances (live audio description for visually impaired audiences): 26 April 2026, 13 September 2026, 7 March 2027, 28 September 2027
It’s wonderful to see so many access dates spread across the run, giving families plenty of time to plan ahead and find the right performance for them.
Getting to the Savoy Theatre
The Savoy Theatre is brilliantly located in central London, making it easy to combine with a wider family day out in the city!
By Tube
The nearest stations are:
- Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines) – about a 5-minute walk
- Temple (Circle and District lines) – about a 5-minute walk
- Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) – about a 10-minute walk
- Embankment (Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Northern lines) – about a 10-minute walk
By Train
Charing Cross mainline station is right on the doorstep, making it easy to travel in from Kent, Sussex, and Surrey for a theatre day out.
Making a Day of It
The Savoy is right in the heart of the West End, so there’s loads to explore before the show. Covent Garden is a short walk away and is brilliant for families, with street performers, shops, and plenty of places to eat. You’re also close to the South Bank, Trafalgar Square, and the best of what London has to offer for families.
Is Paddington The Musical Worth It?
Absolutely, yes! The show has received glowing reviews from critics and families alike, and the fact that it has extended three times speaks volumes. This is a West End production that genuinely delivers on its promise of a magical family day out.
Here’s a quick summary of what makes it so special:
- Original music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher (McFly), giving it a fresh, modern feel that kids love
- Paddington brought to life in a truly innovative way that audiences of all ages find magical
- A stellar cast including Bonnie Langford and a host of brilliant West End talent
- Suitable for younger children (from age 4 or 6 depending on your child), making it one of the more accessible big West End shows
- Excellent accessibility options with relaxed, captioned, signed, and audio-described performances throughout the run
Think it might be too long for little ones? At 2 hours 45 minutes including an interval, it’s worth knowing that the interval gives everyone a good chance to recharge (and visit the loo!). Most families with children aged 5 and over find the running time absolutely fine.
The bottom line: Paddington The Musical is one of the best family theatre experiences in London right now, and with dates running all the way to February 2028, you have plenty of time to make it happen. Don’t leave it too long though – the best seats and dates always go first!
How to Book Paddington The Musical Tickets
Ready to pack your marmalade sandwiches and head to the Savoy? Here’s how to secure your seats:
- Check availability for your preferred dates, keeping in mind that best standard availability is from February 2027 onwards
- Book directly through the official Savoy Theatre box office or an authorised ticket agent
- Consider a matinee if you’re bringing younger children – Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday matinees are ideal
- Look out for access performances if your family needs a relaxed, captioned, signed, or audio-described show
Tickets start from £42, with premium seats available up to £298. For group bookings of 10 or more, contact the Savoy Theatre directly on 020 7206 1174.
Paddington The Musical is waiting for you at the Savoy Theatre until February 2028. Don’t miss it!