Paddington The Musical to have its Australian premiere in Sydney in 2027

Paddington is packing his suitcase for Australia. Paddington The Musical will have its Australian premiere at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in September 2027, the producers have announced.

Back home, the Olivier Award-winning production continues at the Savoy Theatre, where Paddington The Musical is currently booking until 13 February 2028.

Sydney plans so far

The production will play the Capitol Theatre from September 2027. Exact dates, ticket prices and casting for the Sydney company have not yet been announced. A waitlist offering priority access when tickets go on sale is open through the show's Australian website.

The Sydney staging is presented by Sonia Friedman Productions, StudioCanal and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK, together with Australian producer Suzanne Jones of JONES Theatrical Group. The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, has partnered with the producers to secure the premiere.

Producers on the Sydney premiere

In a joint statement, Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley said: "From the outset, we have wanted PADDINGTON The Musical to open only in cities where it can be produced with the same ambition, care and theatrical scale as in London." They added that the bear's journey across the world in search of a new home "feels particularly resonant for Australian audiences." They said the city's appetite for world-class musical theatre, and the affection Australians have long held for the character, made Sydney "a natural new home for our production."

Suzanne Jones said: "As an Australian producer, I am immensely proud that Sydney will be the first city in Australia to welcome PADDINGTON The Musical. It is a rare new musical: spectacular in scale, but always led by character, humour and heart."

Destination NSW estimates the run will attract more than 100,000 visitors to Sydney and bring more than 64 million Australian dollars into the state's visitor economy.

What is the story about?

Based on the much-loved characters from Michael Bond's books and inspired by the films, the musical follows the young bear's arrival in London from Peru and his adoption by the Brown family, before a rescue mission is launched when a villain targets him. Expect showstopping songs, dazzling choreography, plenty of mishaps and, of course, marmalade sandwiches.

Who created the show?

The show has a book by Jessica Swale and music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, and is directed by Luke Sheppard. Musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements are by Matt Brind, choreography is by Ellen Kane, scenic design is by Tom Pye and costume design is by Gabriella Slade. Puppet design, including the bear himself, is by Tahra Zafar, with lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Owen, video design and animation by Ash J Woodward, and hair, wigs and make-up by Campbell Young Associates. An original cast recording, produced by Brind, is out now on Decca Records.

How has it done in London?

The musical opened in London's West End in 2025 after recording the highest ticket pre-sales in West End history. In 2026 it won a record seven Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, along with nine WhatsOnStage Awards and the Critics' Circle award for Best New Musical.

Next stops for the bear

Before Sydney, WhatsOnStage reports a Broadway run is planned for April 2027. If that goes ahead, Australian audiences will be the third to meet the show.

For theatregoers in the UK, there is no need to wait: the London production remains the place to see the show for now, with a new West End cast and performances scheduled into 2028.

Header image: official artwork.