MickeyJoTheatre Podcast: "Paddington the Musical (Savoy Theatre, West End) - ★★★★★ REVIEW" (December 1, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this enthusiastic and comprehensive review, host Mickey Jo from the MickeyJoTheatre podcast delves deep into the brand-new West End sensation, Paddington the Musical at the Savoy Theatre. Celebrating the magic, heart, and technical ambition of the show, Mickey Jo assesses not only its artistic accomplishment but also its emotional resonance for audiences of all ages. The episode explores the musical’s story, themes of community and acceptance, craftsmanship onstage and backstage, and why it stands out as a landmark family musical.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Magical, Must-See West End Event

• The musical is the "biggest opening in London’s West End this year, potentially the entire world" (01:18).
• Paddington’s status as a "cultural icon" made this a guaranteed commercial hit, but what’s remarkable is the show’s heart and quality matching its hype.
• Mickey Jo labels it "the best big new British musical since Matilda" (03:32), anticipating it as a decade-long mainstay at the Savoy.

2. Core Themes: Family, Belonging, Community, and Immigration

• At its essence, the show remains "a story about compassion and a story about this family in this city who would welcome in an immigrant" (08:32).
• Paddington’s arrival in London is treated as both magical and, at its subtext, a subtle but deliberate allegory about hospitality toward outsiders, handled with sincerity. The musical avoids a cheap or politically toothless version.
• "'You didn't think you'd hear the word socio-political in a Paddington the Musical review, but guess what? You just did...'" (09:50).

3. Bringing Paddington Bear to Life

• Paddington’s stage realization is a technical marvel: part actor, part puppeteer, with expressive physical details like blinking, breathing, and reacting in real time (13:04).
  • “The version of Paddington Bear who walks onto the stage after the first few moments of music in this show is so breathtaking and so delightful, the audience members are instantly moved to tears.” (13:15)
• Paddington is inhabited by Artie Shah, with his voice and singing performed by James Hamid in a unique "Bluetooth pairing" theatrical device (16:30). This both honors the magic and preserves the illusion, especially for children.

4. Story & Book Adaptation

• Jessica Swale’s book and Tom Fletcher’s score build on both Michael Bond’s original work and the film adaptation.
• The show delicately adapts the family dynamic from the film, giving Mrs. Brown a richer emotional and musical arc, reframing the source material for the stage (23:04).
• Shifts away from being a platonic love story between Paddington and Mr. Brown toward a more ensemble family-centric narrative.

5. Music and Lyrics

• Tom Fletcher’s songs are catchy and varied, balancing pop sensibilities with classic musical theatre and moments of high camp, particularly in villain Millicent Clyde's "Pretty Little Dead Things" (27:38).
• "The Explorer and the Bear" is an emotional Act I highlight, likely to become a signature song (27:05).
• The show features an inclusive singalong ("Marmalade"), Latin-infused "Rhythm of Life London," and numbers addressing adult themes like aging and ambition ("Never Too Late").
  • "There's a lot of material in there for parents... We're talking about motherhood and its challenges. We're talking about that honestly in this show. There's also obviously so much in there for kids." (31:15)

6. Stand-Out Performances and Casting

• The cast is "an embarrassment of riches" (34:38), full of West End character acting legends:
  • Artie Shah (Paddington Bear performer)
  • James Hamid (Paddington Bear's singing/voice)
  • Amy Ellen Richardson (Mrs. Brown): Emotional core, nuanced arc, standout mother-daughter scenes.
  • Adrian DE Gregorian (Mr. Brown): Lovable, comedic, reclaims his "bad boy" past with onstage guitar.
  • Brenda Edwards (Tanya, and Aunt Lucy): "Her most meaningful work perhaps may be when she is invoking but not directly portraying Aunt Lucy" (35:44).
  • Bonnie Langford (Mrs. Bird): "Bonafide West End legend" with standout number "Never Too Late" and trademark splits (36:50).
  • Victoria Hamilton Barrett (Millicent Clyde): Delicious villain, "chewing the scenery" with hilarious, physical performance (38:46).
  • Tom Edden (Mr. Curry): "Theatrical comedic genius" who interacts with audience and conductor for musical fun (40:13).
  • Amy Booth Steele: "Scene-stealing" in multiple comic roles, including Geographers’ Guild leader and as a giant dancing sandwich (42:15).

7. Direction, Design, and Technical Mastery

• Luke Shepard’s direction: Seamlessly combines different story threads, maintains emotional clarity, and creates an immersive, technically ambitious production (46:28).
  • "It’s obvious to me that there was no other director that could have brought this to the stage, I think, quite as beautifully as Luke Shepard has done" (47:16).
• Ellen Kane’s choreography: Blends high-energy contemporary and classic West End styles; highlights include "Rhythm of Life London" (48:25).
• Gabriella Slade’s costumes: Nostalgic yet fresh, subtly cartoonish to meet the needs of young viewers.
• Tom Pye’s scenic design: Transforming spaces with moving set pieces and a magical video backdrop.
  • Praise for lighting, sound, and animation (Neil Austin, Gareth Owen, Majid Adin, Ash J. Woodward).

8. Who Is the Show For?

• Mickey Jo confirms that the show genuinely delights adults and children alike, delivering "wonder and joy" to everyone in the audience (18:01, 53:14).
  • "Whoever you are, you can go and enjoy this show, I promise." (53:09)
• The show is already a difficult ticket; “I don’t think we’re going to see another show in that theatre for a decade at this point.” (03:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Both times I have seen this show I have sat in the theatre and felt so connected to, so reminded of what it is to be a small child, a young version of myself seeing magic on stage for the very first time.” (01:13)
• “I give the writers...an extraordinary amount of credit for committing to telling that story in a way that is authentic in the current socio-political moment.” (10:02)
• “When he begins to talk, it’s awe inspiring. You can spend, if you choose, the next few scenes just watching Paddington in delight as he gradually begins to do more and more.” (14:46)
• “There are two or three moments in the show that have made me cry twice now.” (17:56)
• “Victoria reminds you of what the phrase chewing the scenery actually means because if she got close enough to a bit of scenery, you imagine that she might.” (39:01)
• “Paddington the Musical has the ability to send everyone back out onto the streets of London slightly better people than when we all arrived. I can think of little higher praise I can offer this show than that.” (53:04)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:10 – Opening thoughts, Paddington’s cultural impact, anticipation and hype.
• 08:32 – On Paddington as a story about immigration and compassion.
• 13:04 – Analysis of Paddington’s onstage realization, technical & puppetry magic.
• 16:30 – How Paddington’s dual performer/voice device preserves theatrical magic.
• 23:04 – Structural and tonal differences from the film; family dynamics.
• 27:05 – Song highlights, especially “The Explorer and the Bear.”
• 34:32 – Cast rundown and standout performances.
• 38:46 – Villains, comic relief, and scene-stealing secondary roles.
• 46:28 – Praise for direction and creative collaboration.
• 53:09 – Final thoughts: universality, legacy, and life-affirming effect.

Conclusion & Takeaway

Paddington the Musical isn’t just a shoo-in hit because of its brand—it’s a triumph of craft, heart, inclusivity, and magic. Mickey Jo’s review enthuses that it is likely to become a staple both for families and serious theatre lovers, inviting everyone to rediscover joy and childlike wonder. Its creative risks—especially in puppetry and staging—are rewarded by a cast and crew firing on all cylinders, creating an experience that’s simultaneously nostalgic and refreshingly current.

For those considering tickets, expect a dazzling, heartwarming night at the theatre—one that, as Mickey Jo notes, “will send you back onto the streets of London a slightly better person than when you arrived.”

Podcast Host: Mickey Jo
Podcast: MickeyJoTheatre
Episode: Paddington the Musical (Savoy Theatre, West End) - ★★★★★ REVIEW
Date: December 1, 2025