University News Last updated 12 March
BCU alumna Arti Shah is bringing Paddington Bear to life on London’s West End as the on-stage performer in Paddington: The Musical.
Arti, who graduated with a BA (Hons) Business Studies for Property in 1999, is now an actress and motivational speaker.
With music and lyrics by McFly’s Tom Fletcher and book by Jessica Swale, the new musical has received critical acclaim and has recently won nine accolades at the WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical. It was described as a “love letter to kindness, inclusion and family” by the Daily Express.
Arti, who is 4 foot tall, has brought numerous characters to life across the Star Wars and Wizarding World film franchises, with a career spanning almost twenty years as a creature performer in TV and film.
Arti’s teacher at school once told her they could see her working in the entertainment industry: "I had enjoyed drama in school, but decided to pursue a degree in business, as I felt it would help open many doors.”
"[Studying at BCU] was such a great experience in learning a lot about myself and the different elements of business which can be applied to daily life. [My course] taught me how to run a business; the professional, legal and economic aspect.”
Arti is the on-stage performer for Paddington Bear in Paddington: The Musical, working with off-stage performer and remote puppeteer James Hameed to bring the bear to life.
"For me, this has been such a wonderful experience, to bring life to this bear and work alongside James Hameed. We get to spread joy and kindness during each performance which is so rewarding. The bear suit is such a joy to wear.”
Having worked on the 2024 film, Paddington in Peru, as the reference for Paddington, Arti has now swapped CGI for a bear suit, performing as the loveable bear whilst James gives Paddington a voice and controls his facial expressions.
On the difference between TV and film and live theatre, Arti said: "Performing in front of a live audience takes my breath away. Just to see the audience’s reaction when we all take a bow is something I will hold with me forever.”
Some of Arti’s roles include being the stand-in for Rocket Raccoon in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, a goblin and other characters in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, and a Gonk droid in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, plus Maz Kanata’s motion capture double for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
It was her work in the Star Wars film franchise that directly led to her working on Paddington: “I started working on this project through recommendation from Neil Scanlan and Tahra Zafar, whom I met on Star Wars, who recommended me back in 2022 to work on the workshops to help develop this beautiful bear.”
Arti studied at the University of Central England (UCE), which is now a part of Birmingham City University (BCU). After graduating, Arti went to work for ITV, where she was a sales executive for five years, then she set up her own recruitment business.
With no acting experience or training, breaking into TV and film was difficult for Arti, so she took some short courses in acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and signed to an agency. They got her a few small parts in TV, but it wasn’t until she signed with another agency that she landed her first film role, playing a goblin in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
“It was my first time wearing prosthetics,” Arti recalls. “The whole process and experience was phenomenal.”
“Every film role since then has been through recommendation, even my current role in Paddington: The Musical,” Arti adds.
Arti is also an Inspirational Speaker and Diversity and Inclusion Advocate, having first-hand experience of overcoming stereotypes and obstacles, she talks about acceptance and the importance of inclusion in workplaces, schools and society.
Arti’s advice for BCU graduates is: “Don’t let anything hold you back. It is also okay to change your career as you get older.”
Paddington: The Musical is currently playing at the Savoy Theatre in London.
Photo credit: Johan Persson.