LONDON.- As the worlds much-loved, well-mannered bear gets set for his big-screen debut in the new film Paddington* this November, the
Museum of London is celebrating the small stowaway from Darkest Peru and his London adventures with a new exhibition, special events and activities.
The Museum of London will be getting its own life-size Paddington statue designed by BBC Sherlocks leading man, Benedict Cumberbatch, as part of the Paddington Trail brought to the capital by VisitLondon.com, NSPCC and STUDIOCANAL. From 4 November, visitors can follow in the furry footsteps of the worlds favourite Peruvian explorer across 50 sites throughout the capital city.
On 14 November, the museum will also open a new exhibition, A Bear Called Paddington, charting the story of the cherished character from page to screen, in a history that dates back nearly sixty years. The genesis of Paddington can be traced to Christmas Eve 1956, when his creator, Michael Bond, bought his wife a small toy bear from a London department store and named him after the nearest railway station to which they lived.
Through a mix of objects including a first-edition book, illustration and film and animation props drawn from private collections never-before seen together in the UK, the museum will show the evolution of Paddington from first-draft, right up to today. Highlights include:
A signed first edition copy of the debut story, A Bear Called Paddington (1958), belonging to the authors daughter, Karen Jankel
An original illustration of Paddington by Peggy Fortnum
The original typewriter (1965) that Michael Bond used to write Paddington at Work and Paddington Goes to Town once he left the BBC in 1965 to write Paddington full- time
An original plush Paddington by Gabrielle Designs (1980)
Props from the forthcoming STUDIOCANAL film, PADDINGTON, opening in UK cinemas on 28 November
2D cut-outs and original Paddington puppet from the 1970s TV animations
Hilary Young, curator of A Bear Called Paddington, said: The exhibition, A Bear Called Paddington, celebrates the transitions that Paddington has made from his first appearance in Michael Bonds novel in 1958, via his debut on the small screen in 1975 to his latest adventure in the movies this winter. Visitors will enter the Brown familys front room at 32 Windsor Gardens and see a first edition of A Bear Called Paddington belonging to Bonds daughter Karen; one of the original 3D Paddington puppets from the 1970s TV animation; and from the new film, Paddingtons duffel coat, hat and suitcase. The stories about the stowaway from Darkest Peru who comes to London are loved around the world and the exhibition highlights his global phenomenon with several translations of the books, fan mail, and other worldwide Paddington products. Michael Bonds stories about this well-meaning bear are timeless and there is a Paddington familiar to every age range in this exhibition.
Karen Jankel, MD of Paddington and Company, said: As I was born three months before the first book was published I have, quite literally, grown up with Paddington. He has always been a very important member of our family and so this exhibition is particularly special for me. I hope others will enjoy learning all about Paddington and his 56 year journey to the big screen.
A family activity space where kids and their parents can play together and experience Paddingtons most notorious capers will run alongside the exhibition. And on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, Paddington himself will take over the museum for a very special event called Paddingtons Picnic. Visitors can expect a large-scale family-friendly festival jam-packed with crafts, storytelling, and special guests, as well as plenty of marmalade sandwiches.
*Released on 28 November 2014, the highly anticipated film, PADDINGTON, from STUDIOCANAL and Heyday Films is written and directed by Paul King (Bunny and the Bull, The Mighty Boosh) produced by David Heyman (Gravity, Harry Potter). The all-star cast includes Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Peter Capaldi, Jim Broadbent and Nicole Kidman, with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington.