Paddington: The Symphonic Experience

The globally recognized Paddington character first captured imaginations with the debut of Michael Bond’s ‘A Bear Called Paddington’ in 1958, a foundational work that went on to sell over 30 million copies and be translated into 30 languages worldwide. This literary success quickly expanded into merchandise, with the first Paddington Bear stuffed toy manufactured by Gabrielle Designs in 1972. The character’s journey into visual media began with the acclaimed stop-motion animated BBC series ‘Paddington’ (1976-1980), distinguished by its innovative 3D puppet and 2D background animation style, which earned it the distinction of being the first British animated series to win a silver medal at the New York Film and Television Festival in 1979. Paddington’s screen presence continued to evolve with further animated series, including the Hanna-Barbera/Central Independent Television production ‘Paddington Bear’ (1989) and the Canadian Cinar Films series ‘The Adventures of Paddington Bear’ (1997).

This initiative expands upon successful musical interpretations such as ‘Paddington Bear’s Musical Adventures’ on BBC Radio 3, featuring stories like ‘Paddington’s First Concert’ and ‘Paddington at St. Paul’s’ performed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. These experiences have allowed audiences to immerse themselves in Paddington’s world, from his conducting debut at the Royal Albert Hall to his unexpected role in the Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral. This multi-sensory offering continues to engage new audiences, ahead of ‘Paddington: The Musical’ which is set to premiere in the West End in 2025.