Plot summary
Act I
Mr Gruber opens his shop of curiosities, and a young man enters, fascinated by a stuffed bear. Mr Gruber recounts the story behind the bear, and its perilous journey from Peru ("Mr Gruber's Curiosities"). Paddington arrives in London and looks for a home as the Browns arrive home from a camping trip. Mrs Brown sees Paddington and offers to house him for the night while they look for someone to look after him ("I've Arrived"). However, Mr Curry forbids them from taking the bear home, citing the Taxi Driver's Code as his source. Jonathan corrects him, and Mr Curry allows them to take Paddington home ("The Taxi Driver's Code"). Upon arriving home, Paddington meets Mrs Bird and begins enthusiastically exploring the house, destroying nearly everything he touches. The Browns try to stop him ("Don't Touch That"). Paddington reveals an explorer (the one who gave his uncle his iconic red hat) promised him a home, but he doesn't know his name. Mrs Brown takes Paddington up to the attic for bed and shows him her comic book drawings, expressing her desire for the family to go on more adventures together ("One Page at a Time").
At the Natural History Museum, Millicent Clyde adds a chinchilla to her taxidermy collection, while lamenting over the almost-complete collection. She is only missing a Peruvian Bear. Her assistant Grant reveals a Peruvian Bear has moved into Windsor Gardens ("Pretty Little Dead Things").
While preparing to visit Mr Gruber's shop to identify the red hat's origins, Mrs Bird gives Paddington Mr Brown's old coat. Judy's boyfriend Tony and his mum Tanya introduce Paddington to the wonders of London life ("The Rhythm of London"). Mr Gruber identifies the hat as originating at the Geographer's Guild, and reassures Paddington that his new life will take some time to adjust to. The Browns and Paddington arrive at the Geographers Guild and are greeted by Lady Sloane, who is extremely rude. Paddington gives her a hard stare and she changes her mind, allowing him to visit the archives. Millicent (who is revealed to be the explorer's daughter) and Grant also visit the Guild in search of the Peruvian archive ("Hard Stare").
After discovering the explorer's full name is Montgomery Clyde, Paddington imagines his new life living with the explorer ("The Explorer and the Bear").
The Browns and Paddington visit the Savoy for Mr Brown's work do, where he hopes to be promoted. He sings a rock song, which delights Mary, but Paddington is baited with Marmalade by Millicent, and trips over the machinery, ruining the event ("Risky Business"). Millicent tells Paddington she is the explorer's daughter and will welcome him over whenever he wants.
Mr Brown loudly proclaims Paddington is the worst thing that ever happened to the family. Mrs Brown insists Paddington has helped the family, not harmed it ("One of Us"). Paddington leaves a note and runs away to Millicent's address, where she is waiting to stuff him ("The Explorer and the Bear (Reprise)")
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