"Speculation abounded, from 'a puppet' to 'something to do with Ben Whishaw' to who knows what else (a very well trained live bear?), but with the show now having started its previews, all has been revealed. Paddington will in fact be played by two people: the diminutive Arti Shah will don a costume to play his body, and James Hameed is credited as the 'off-stage performer' and will do both his voice and - as we understand it - remotely control his facial expressions."
"It's an intriguing mix of the very modern and the very old school - a remotely controlled all-singing lead in a musical is surely not something that's been done much before, but at the same time it is also a small lady in a bear costume. The stills do make Paddington simply look like a large toy bear frozen in a variety of poses, but that's kind of the point really,"
For months the full cast list omitted the eponymous bear, prompting speculation ranging from a puppet to a trained live animal. Paddington will be performed by two people: Arti Shah will wear the costume as the onstage body, and James Hameed will serve as the off-stage performer providing the voice and remotely controlling facial expressions. The combination blends modern remote-controlled puppetry with a traditional costumed performer. Stills present Paddington as a large toy-like bear in frozen poses. Previews have begun, early word of mouth is positive, and booking has been extended through October 25, 2026 at the Savoy Theatre.
Read at Time Out London
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