The London return of My Neighbour Totoro begins performances at the Gillian Lynne Theatre March 8. Running through November 2, the work previously enjoyed a world premiere at the Barbican in 2022 and 2023. The return engagement will officially open March 20.
Based on the beloved 1988 Studio Ghibli film, My Neighbour Totoro took home the most wins of any production at the 2023 Olivier Awards, taking six categories, including Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, and Best Director for Phelim McDermott.
For this engagement, Victoria Chen plays Mei, alongside returning cast members Ami Okumura Jones as Mei鈥檚 older sister Satsuki, Dai Tabuchi as Tatsuo, Jacqueline Tate as Granny, and Ai Ninomiya as the Singer.
The show鈥檚 Kazego Puppetry ensemble includes Matthew Leonhart, Heather Lai, Shaofan Wilson (Miss Hara), Anna Kato, Rachel Clare Chan, Sally Cheng, Sabrina Pui Yee Chin, Victor Itang, Gabriel S Janoras, Ronnie Lee, Kumiko Mendl (Nurse Emiko), Annakanako Mohri, Richard Peralta, Lucy Park, and Chloe Ragrag.
They are supported by Phyllis Ho as Yasuko, Steven Nguyen as Kanta, Jamie Zubairi as Hiroshi, and Deanna Myers as Tsukiko.
Presented by executive producer Joe Hisaishi, the Royal Shakespeare Company production is a coming-of-age adventure story following sisters Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their ill mother. Mei explores the new area, meeting magical creature and the ancient protector Totoro in the work's fantasy world setting.
In addition to Morton-Smith's adaptation, the production features music from Hisaishi, who serves as composer in addition to executive producer. Phelim McDermott directs the production which features production design by Tom Pye, costume design by Kimie Nakano, lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun, movement by You-Ri Yamanaka, and puppetry design and direction is by Basil Twist. Hisaishi鈥檚 score has been expanded with a new orchestration by Will Stuart, performed live with sound design by Tony Gayle. Video design is by Finn Ross and Andrea Scott.
Artwork for the stage adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro includes a hand drawn title by Toshio Suzuki, producer for Studio Ghibli, who was involved in the planning and production of the original animated film.
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