Paddington The Musical launches search for key supporting role
Could you know the next Judy Brown?
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London
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1 March 2026
Paddington The Musical has announced a search for one of its key supporting roles!
Adapted from Michael Bond’s books and the hit films, the new musical features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, as well as a book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard.
Telling the story of a small bear from Peru who finds a home with the Brown family in London, it’s when a villain threatens Paddington’s new life that the family sets out on a rescue mission.
It opened to overwhelmingly positive reviews late last year, with WhatsOnStage giving the show a big five-star thumbs up. It was then nominated for 13 WhatsOnStage Awards including Best New Musical.
Young person’s casting director Nick Hockaday has launched a search for a performer to play the next Judy Brown. An ideal applicant would have a playing age of 15 to 16 (though must be at least 17 or above in order to commit to an eight-show week), with a “high strong pop belt” and movement experience, as well as being no taller than 5’3″. To find out more, interested parties should email [email protected].
The performers playing Paddington are James Hameed (Paddington off-stage performer and remote puppeteer) and Arti Shah (Paddington on-stage performer). Abbie Purvis and Ali Sarebani are the alternate Paddington on-stage performers.
The team responsible for the bear includes Tahra Zafar (Paddington bear designer), Audrey Brisson (Bear physicality associate director), Phill Woodfine (remote puppetry coach), and Annabelle Davis (Paddington bear casting director).
Forming the principal cast are Timi Akinyosade (Tony), Amy Booth-Steel (Lady Sloane), Tarinn Callender (Grant), Delilah Bennett-Cardy (Judy Brown), Adrian Der Gregorian (Mr Brown), Tom Edden (Mr Curry), Brenda Edwards (Tanya), Amy Ellen Richardson (Mrs Brown), Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Millicent Clyde), Teddy Kempner (Mr Gruber), Bonnie Langford (Mrs Bird), and the role of Jonathan Brown is played by Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare and Jasper Rowse.
The ensemble is Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, David Birch, Aimée Fisher, Jacqueline Hughes, Kellianna Jay, Sam Lathwood, Natasha Leaver, Katie Lee, Sunny Lee, Vicki Lee Taylor, Jáiden Lodge, Andilé Mabhena, Rose Mary O’Reilly, Ben Redfern, Hugo Rolland and Simon Shorten.
Working with Sheppard on the creative team are Matt Brind as musical supervisor, orchestrator and arranger, Ellen Kane as choreographer, Tom Pye as scenic designer, Gabriella Slade as costume designer, Neil Austin as lighting designer, Gareth Owen as sound designer, Ash J Woodward as video designer and animator, Campbell Young Associates as hair, wig and make-up designers, Majid Adin for illustration and additional animation, Laura Bangay as musical director, and Natalie Gallacher for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting as casting director.
Hockaday serves as young persons’ casting director, Javier Marzan as physical comedy consultant, with Tobago and D-Lime providing additional music consultancy.
The production is inspired by the 2014 film Paddington and includes new songs, choreography and the bear’s trademark marmalade sandwiches.
Michael Bond’s first Paddington book was published in 1958. Since then, more than 35 million copies have been sold worldwide, and the character has appeared in several television series and three feature films, most recently Paddington in Peru in 2024.
Paddington The Musical is now booking at the Savoy Theatre until May 2027.
