Five reasons to see 'My Neighbour Totoro' in the West End

Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 Studio Ghibli film, My Neighbour Totoro will return to London in March next year, opening at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

Following two sold-out runs at the Barbican, My Neighbour Totoro is heading to London's West End early next year, with performances at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 8 March.

Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 Studio Ghibli film, My Neighbour Totoro follows Satsuki and Mei, two sisters who discover ancient spirits in their new surroundings. In a five-star London Theatre review, our critic said: “Behind the curtains, a giant silhouette gradually appears, and when those curtains swing open, we finally see [Totoro]: a huge shaggy mass, so enormous, so peculiar and so utterly beguiling that the audience breaks into rapturous applause… It’s a reminder to take time to savour our surroundings and to find joy even in the toughest times. Theatre at its most magical.”

Ahead of My Neighbour Totoro returning to London, we look at the five reasons you should be booking tickets to this Studio Ghibli stage adaptation immediately.

It’s a faithful recreation of the film

In recent years, the West End’s housed gripping adaptations of landmark films: Life of Pi, Network, and the Harry Potter play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. My Neighbour Totoro continues the trend, elevating the Studio Ghibli animation into a sensory spectacular for the ages.

But how? Firstly, we must look at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. The special effects company worked on dozens of puppets used throughout the show. Combine Jim Henson’s world-class puppet design with Basil Twist’s natural choreography, and it’s no surprise that the show won the Best Entertainment or Comedy title at the Olivier Awards in 2023.

Oppenheimer playwright Tom Morton-Smith also adapts Hayao Miyazaki's globally-beloved Studio Ghibli story. Our review said: "Tom Morton-Smith’s adaptation strikes a perfect balance of honouring Hayao Miyazaki’s creation and seeking a new theatrical language." Learn the power of theatre by seeing My Neighbour Totoro in London.

Enjoy all the whimsical puppets

In My Neighbour Totoro, there's five different-sized Totoro puppets to watch out for. Spot the seven Sho-Totoro puppets used too; they're smaller Totoros. In the show, all of the actors apart from those playing Satsuki and Mei double up as puppeteers.

Phelim McDermott directs the collaborative play

The Royal Shakespeare Company, Improbable, and Japanese broadcaster Nippon TV all worked together to bring My Neighbour Totoro to the stage. Director Phelim McDermott’s visionary outlook enabled the show to become a grand spectacle.

He typically directs grand operas such as Akhnaten and The Hours for the Metropolitan Opera, and Aida for the English National Opera. The Broadway director now helms the landmark Studio Ghibli play to Olivier-winning acclaim — he won his first Olivier for Best Director.

The play won four creative categories at the Olivier Awards

A West End show isn’t just about the actors you see on stage. The show requires a stellar creative team to create a magical world like My Neighbour Totoro deserves. The beautiful set design, costumes, lighting, and sound design allow spirits to come alive in a mystical paradise. By the show's end, you’ll wish the spirits were human.

The show picked up Olivier wins in all four categories: Best Set Design (for Tom Pye,) Best Costume Design (for Kimie Nakano,) Best Lighting (for Jessica Hung Han Yun,) and Best Sound Design (for Tony Gayle.)

The show is perfect for children and adults

The story follows two young sisters, as they move into a new home and their mother recovers from an illness in hospital. It is told from their point of view and teaches valuable lessons about the connection between humans and the natural world. The rich visual effects and high production values, along with Basil Twist’s puppets, make this an engaging production for children. But there is plenty for the adults to enjoy too — from the nostalgia of childhood to Joe Hisaishi's beautiful score.

When is My Neighbour Totoro in the West End?

My Neighbour Totoro will return to London on 8 March 2025.

Book My Neighbour Totoro tickets on London Theatre.

Photo credit: My Neighbour Totoro (Photo courtesy of production)