Paddington The Musical releases first listen to Tom Fletcher performing “Explorer and the Bear”

The first full track from Paddington The Musical has been released.

The new musical, adapted from Michael Bond’s books and the hit films, features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, who also performs on the recording.

Preparing for its world premiere at the Savoy Theatre from 1 November, the production has a book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard.

The musical follows the story of a small bear from Peru who finds a home with the Brown family in London. When a villain threatens Paddington’s new life, the family sets out on a rescue mission.

You can listen to the number, entitled “Explorer and the Bear”, below. It is the very first song to be released to the public from the score of more than 18 new original songs written for the musical, and in the show, will be performed by Paddington Bear.

The accompanying video was shot in the rehearsal room with the company, as well as multiple recording studio locations, including Abbey Road, where Fletcher recorded this number. There, he also recorded others from the musical, which will be released soon.

The single is available from Decca Records.

Fletcher said today: “This is such an exciting day for us all on Paddington The Musical – to finally share our first song with you all! It’s been an amazing process making this musical with a team of incredible creatives, and it’s both nerve-wracking and thrilling in equal measure to begin to put it out into the world. We hope you love it as much as we do.”

Producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley added: “It’s a privilege to be able to share “Explorer and the Bear” – the very first song we are releasing from Paddington The Musical. It’s truly wonderful to have Tom perform the vocals for this track, which in the show is sung by Paddington himself. This release marks the beginning of a series of songs we’ll be sharing in the months ahead, as we build towards the official opening at the Savoy Theatre at the end of November.”

As already revealed, the principal cast is made up of 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 cast is completed by 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.

If you’re looking for more information about the main bear himself, the show has confirmed that casting for Paddington, together with the “Bear Designer” and “Bear Creative team”, will be revealed on the first preview, alongside the wider team responsible for bringing this very special bear to life on stage. The anticipation! 

The creative team working with Sheppard includes 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.

Nick 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 currently booking at the Savoy Theatre until 25 May 2026.