Paddington at the Savoy: Bringing the Beloved Bear to Life
The magic unfolds as Paddington steps onto the Savoy stage
Two performers merge artistry to breathe life into the beloved bear
James Hameed lends voice and remotely choreographs Paddington's expressive face
Conveying every flicker of emotion through unseen mastery
Arti Shah inhabits the suit for nearly three hours
Her physicality transforming Paddington from memory to marvel
Years of workshops refined every gesture, every nuance
Perfecting the bear who dances and crinkles his furry brow
Directed by Luke Sheppard with music from Tom Fletcher
The production emerges from StudioCanal's cherished IP
For Shah, Paddington spans generations
Childhood TV viewings with her brother
Reading books to her young son
Even contributing physical work on "Paddington in Peru"
Hameed sees profound duality in the character
To his British mother, Paddington embodies tradition and politeness
To his immigrant father, he represents finding home in unfamiliar places
This universal vulnerability crosses boundaries
Political or religious
Touching something uniquely personal in every audience member
Through collaboration and craft
The Peruvian cub becomes pure theatrical enchantment
Where viewers truly believe Paddington stands before them
Kindness remains the beating heart of this story,
a timeless lesson freely given,
urgently needed in today's world.
Through Paddington's vulnerable lens,
preconceptions dissolve for audiences young and old,
creating space for universal connection.
The puppetry magic begins with transformation:
A Young Man gifts his voice to the bear,
then vanishes as Paddington's physicality emerges,
now speaking with that borrowed-yet-belonging timbre.
Facial expressions required innovation -
two performers replace three
after discovering time-lag issues.
Remote puppeteer Phill Woodfine coached James Hameed
to synchronize mouth movements with speech instantly,
eliminating delays for seamless illusion.
Belief becomes inevitable - Paddington breathes in the room.
Inside the bear suit:
Shah finds warmth
(both literal and emotional).
Pre-rehearsal sauna sessions prepared his mind,
while layers of padding dictate the bear's distinctive posture.
Method acting channels personal emotion,
proving mascot work transcends mere costume.
His film experience with heavy suits
("Attack the Block" required running on all fours
under half his body weight)
makes Paddington's load comparatively... bearable.
Shah's final reminder:
Kindness costs nothing
yet rebuilds worlds.
The Paddington suit presents severe visual limitations, demanding immense trust from the performer inside.
"Arti operates with little to no sight at times," Hameed reveals. "Her experience is vital."
Witnessing this vulnerability firsthand, Hameed tested the blocking blindfolded: "It was terrifying."
This deepened his empathy, cementing his primary role: ensuring the performer’s absolute safety above all else.
Paddington’s professionalism shines even for royalty.
Meeting Prince William, the bear impeccably tipped his hat and offered his marmalade sandwich.
When questioned about overheating, Fletcher swiftly quipped: "He’s from Peru—used to the heat!"
"Paddington remained impressively calm yet excited," Shah notes. "A true professional."
His universal charm transcends borders.
"Well-traveled and globally beloved, he’d thrive anywhere," Hameed observes.
London audiences already adore him, proving Paddington’s remarkable adaptability.
One constant remains: that trusty suitcase, perpetually packed with marmalade.
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