Following two runs at the Barbican, the stage adaptation of the beloved Studio Ghibli animated film is transferring to the West End
Adapted for the stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Tom Morton-Smith and original composer Joe Hisaishi, My Neighbour Totoro sold out its world premiere run at the Barbican in the autumn of 2022 and picked up a slew of awards along the way. It proved to be so popular that the show returned for another 18-week season at the end of 2023, and now it’s coming back for a third go, playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from March to November next year.
Hayao Miyazaki’s film tells the coming-of-age story of sisters Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside to be closer to their hospitalised mother, where they discover a world full of magical creatures and spirits. It’s known for its enchanting animal characters, including the Catbus (a twelve-legged cat that’s also a bus) and the eponymous Totoro (who looks like a giant rabbit), who are brought to life through incredible puppetry and groundbreaking production.
If you missed the Barbican runs, you’ll defo want to get those tickets now, even if you do have a long time to wait before the show opens – priority booking opens on 29th April with public booking following on 3rd May. And if you need a Studio Ghibli fix before then, the stage adaption of Spirited Away is opening at the end of April.
Sat 8th March – Sun 2nd November 2025
166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW
lwtheatres.co.uk