In a revealing new interview, McFly's Tom Fletcher has opened up about the moment his bandmates first heard the songs he's composed for the highly anticipated Paddington musical, and their reaction wasn't quite what he expected.
The musician, who is writing the music and lyrics for the upcoming West End production, described playing the tracks for his McFly colleagues as "nerve-wracking" but ultimately heartwarming.
The Band's Verdict
"I played them a couple of the songs and there was just silence afterwards," Fletcher confessed. "Then Danny [Jones] just went, 'I hate you.'"
Far from genuine animosity, the comment was actually the highest form of musical compliment between the long-time friends and collaborators. Fletcher explained that Jones's mock-disapproval actually meant he loved the compositions but was "annoyed that I'd written them and not him."
A New Creative Challenge
The Paddington musical represents a significant departure from Fletcher's work with the pop-rock band that made him famous. He's embracing the opportunity to create something completely different from McFly's signature sound.
"When you're in a band, you're trying to write the best McFly song you can," he noted. "This is a completely different thing."
The project allows him to explore diverse musical styles that serve the story of the beloved Peruvian bear, from "big, emotional ballads" to more intimate character moments.
West End Dreams
Fletcher isn't completely new to theatrical composition, having previously written songs for the stage adaptation of "What's New Pussycat?" Still, he admits the scale of the Paddington production brings some healthy nerves.
With the musical scheduled to begin performances in June 2025, theatre fans and Paddington enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting the chance to see how the beloved character translates to the stage.
The production promises to bring the charm and warmth of Michael Bond's original stories to life through Fletcher's musical interpretation.
