Studio Ghibli's My Neighbour Totoro returns to London – how to get tickets
A beloved animated movie is getting the UK theatre treatment once again, as the acclaimed, award-winning stage show of My Neighbour Totoro is returning to the Barbican.
The Royal Shakespeare Company partnered with famous Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi to create a stage version of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's 1988 hand-drawn classic last year, which opened to excellent reviews. Its premiere run has been recognised with six Olivier awards and five WhatsOnStage awards.
My Neighbour Totoro is set in 1950s Japan and follows two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, as they join their father in moving from the city of Tokyo to their new home near a forest.
As they explore the countryside around their new home, the girls discover spirits and magical creatures, like the mammoth Catbus, and Mei becomes friends with a gentle, furry woodland spirit who she names Totoro.
My Neighbour Totoro will return to the Barbican Centre, London, from Tuesday November 21, 2023 to Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Tickets are available directly from the Barbican Centre, starting at £29.50, along with other merchants including Fever Up, London Theatre Direct and Ticketmaster.
A number of audio-described, captioned, BSL interpreted and relaxed performances are also scheduled – please click here for more information on accessible performances.
Priority booking opens on April 11, whilst general sale starts on April 21.
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Hisaishi has worked closely on this project, since his original movie score is used in the stage production. He'll also be executive producing the show along with the RSC and Studio Ghibli.
Besides using the original score, the stage show includes orchestral pieces and songs written but never used for the film.
British playwright Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer) was assigned to adapt the film to the stage. Whilst Phelim McDermott will direct the show, longtime collaborator Tom Pye joins him as production designer.
McDermott told Deadline of his excitement about the show and getting a primarily Japanese and South East/East Asian cast and crew: "I'm not from that culture (Japanese) and there are things in the piece I don't understand about. It's absolutely essential to have those voices in the room."
Those voices include Kimie Nakano (costumes), Jessica Hung Han Yun (lighting) and You-ri Yamanaka (movement) joining the creative team.
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The one difference that could be made is that the show's young sibling heroines are unlikely to be played by children.
"We have to use performers who can do many things... puppetry, physical stuff, so there are choices to be made,” McDermott added.
The director also clarified that the show wouldn't be a musical in the strictest use of the word.
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