Paddington is heading to London’s West End in a brand-new stage production, Paddington: The Musical—and the onstage puppet version of the marmalade-loving bear is melting hearts across social media.

Costume designer Tahra Zafar has said she was "overwhelmed" by the public response to the lifelike Paddington Bear puppet, following the West End musical’s opening night. Zafar, a costume and creature ...