Winner of six Olivier Awards, this “utterly beguiling” (The Stage) and “jaw-dropping” (Metro) staging of the celebrated 1988 animated feature film is brought to you by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi, and adapted by Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer).
The story follows young sisters Satsuki (Ami Okumura Jones) and Mei (Victoria Chen) as they move from the city to the countryside with their father, adjusting to a new life while their mother recovers in hospital. What begins as an exploration of their new home soon becomes something more extraordinary as they encounter soot sprites, mischievous forest spirits, and, of course, the giant, fuzzy, enigmatic Totoro. The beauty of My Neighbour Totoro is not in an overly complex narrative, but in the pure joy of childlike wonder, a true celebration of childhood imagination and the quiet magic of the everyday.
For those familiar with the Studio Ghibli classic, the stage production offers not a mere imitation, but a breathtaking reimagining that captures the film’s tender heart. From the moment the iconic opening credits are playfully brought to life with ingenious puppetry, you know this isn’t just a show, it’s an experience. And for newcomers to Totoro’s world, prepare to be swept away by an awe-inspiring story that allows you to rediscover the world through a child’s eyes.
Chen’s portrayal of Mei is nothing short of captivating. She embodies the character’s boundless curiosity and infectious joy that feels so authentic. Her energy and her interactions with the fantastical creatures are so believable, drawing gasps of delight from the audience, both young and old.
However the true marvel of this production lies in its breathtaking puppetry, designed and directed by Basil Twist. Totoro himself is a feat of engineering and artistry, his ever-changing size, his weightless floating above the audience, and his booming presence eliciting gasps of awe from the audience as children and adults alike stare in wonder. Yet, for all its stunning visuals, My Neighbour Totoro is ultimately a story about human connection. At its core, it’s about a family finding peace and returning to nature. It is a feel-good, uplifting, piece of theatre that makes you feel young again and reminds us all to find magic in the simplest of things.
My Neighbour Totoro is currently playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre until 29 March 2026
Details
- Address:
- Gillian Lynne Theatre
- WC2B 5QA
- Transport:
- Holborn tube station. Railway station: King's Cross St Pancras Bus numbers: (High Holborn) 134, 242; (Kingsway) 1, 59, 68, 91, 168, 171, 188, 243, 521, X68