A Paddington musical is in the works with music and lyrics to be provided by McFly frontman Tom Fletcher, it was announced yesterday.

The West End musical will be adapted from the classic children’s books by Michael Bond, and the award-winning films Paddington and Paddington 2.

Paddington 2 has overtaken Orson Welles' Citizen Kane as the most critically acclaimed film on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.  In 2021, the 100% score for Citizen Kane (1941), often regarded as the greatest film ever made, was changed to 99% following the inclusion of an 80-year-old negative review.

The musical, which will be accompanied by a book written by Jessica Swale, will be directed by Luke Sheppard.

The production is due to premiere in the UK in 2025, with further details including the full creative team, casting and dates to be announced at a later stage.

Tom Fletcher, who will write the music and lyrics, is a best-selling author of children’s books, as well as a member of boy band McFly.

He has also written and composed live shows The Christmasaurus and There’s A Monster In Your Show, and is a successful Children's author, having co-written The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas  with his McFly bandmate Dougie Poynter.

Sharing the news on Instagram the former rhythm guitarist said 'We will look after this bear'.

 

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Producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley said of the new project: “It is a privilege to be creating a new musical about this gorgeous and beloved little bear with such a wonderful team.

Continuing they said: "The magic of Paddington is that, through his wide-eyed innocence, he sees the very best in humanity, reminding us that love and kindness can triumph if we open our hearts and minds to one another".

Paddington first published in 1958, has seen various adaptations through the years, with the musical the latest announced iteration of the beloved children's classic.

A third film titled Paddington in Peru is billed to be released November 2024.