Last month, the latest cast of new musical Paddington was announced following an Olivier Award-winning run in the West End and a Broadway transfer. Amongst those announced was BYMT Young Alumni Poppy Houghton who will play the role of Judy Brown, alongside Francesca Ratcliffe, from late October as it returns to the stage at the Savoy Theatre.
Prior to this, Poppy has had a wealth of experience performing in new musicals including three productions with BYMT: Sense & Sensibility at Exeter Barnfield Theatre (2025), When We Strike at Southwark Playhouse (2024) and The Naughty Carriage on the Orphan Train at Dundee Rep (2023). All productions with BYMT involve taking part in a two-week rehearsal and development process, culminating in a full-scale professionally staged production, allowing the young performers in the cast to be just as much part of the creation of the piece, as they are the performance.
When asked to comment on how her experience with BYMT has helped her on her journey as a performer, Poppy said:
“BYMT has been a core part of my performing journey. I have been lucky enough to be part of 3 amazing BYMT shows where I learnt industry level performing skills, which have helped me grow as a performer and as a person, gifting me the most amazing friends for life along the way. The creative team treat you as professionals while always giving each young person a voice in the creative process, which creates such a beautiful community. BYMT shows are of such high quality with the most amazingly supportive creatives who give each participant a brilliant insight into what being a performer is like. If you’re wondering whether to audition, go for it, you won’t regret it!”
Paddington features music and lyrics by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, a book by Jessica Swale and is directed by Luke Sheppard, BYMT’s newest Patron. Luke is no stranger to success when it comes to working on new musicals, but it was Paddington which saw him win his first Olivier for Best Director, in addition to the What’s On Stage award for Best Director.
Luke began his professional directing journey with BYMT as an Assistant Director through the Creative Work Placement (CWP) scheme and returned to the company as Patron in June of this year, stating “I owe so much to my Assistant Director role with BYMT. It gave me a pathway beyond graduation, real experience on the ground, and connections that sprung me forwards into the professional landscape.” As Patron, Luke supports BYMT’s mission to inspire and nurture the next generation of music theatre performers, writers and directors across the UK.
We are delighted that after over 20 years of developing young theatre makers, we are continuing to see those who have experienced BYMT excel within the industry. We want to wish both Poppy and Luke the greatest success with this run of Paddington and can’t wait to see what’s in store for them both next!