Paddington The Musical to Make Australian Premiere at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre
Paddington The Musical will open in Sydney in September 2027, marking its Australian debut following successful runs in London and ahead of a Broadway opening. The production, staged at the Capitol Theatre, brings the beloved story of the Peruvian bear to a new audience down under.
Paddington The Musical is set to open in Sydney in September 2027 at the Capitol Theatre, representing the show’s first Australian production. The musical follows Paddington’s journey from Peru to London and his adoption by the Brown family, before a villain’s threat prompts a rescue mission.
The show originally premiered in London’s West End at the Savoy Theatre in 2025 and will open on Broadway in April 2027. It won seven Olivier Awards in 2026, including Best New Musical, and secured nine WhatsOnStage Awards, underlining its critical acclaim.
The Australian production is presented by Sonia Friedman Productions, StudioCanal, and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK and Suzanne Jones. Casting details for the Sydney run have not yet been announced.
Based on Michael Bond’s beloved book A Bear Called Paddington and inspired by the popular film adaptations, the musical features a book by Jessica Swale, with music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher and direction by Luke Sheppard.
The creative team for the West End production included musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Matt Brind, choreography by Ellen Kane, and design work from Tom Pye, Gabriella Slade, and Tahra Zafar among others. It is expected that much of this original creative vision will inform the Australian staging.
An original cast recording produced by Matt Brind has been released on Decca Records, capturing the score’s charm since its West End premiere. A waitlist and further information for the Sydney production are available through the show’s Australian website.
Paddington The Musical’s international trajectory reflects the growing appetite for family-friendly productions that blend cherished literary characters with contemporary theatre craft. Its arrival in Australia adds another chapter to the enduring legacy of Michael Bond’s iconic bear.
