The heartwarming and enchanting stage adaptation by Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer), continues to delight audiences of all ages in the West End.
My Neighbour Totoro production image. Photo by Manuel Harlan
Capturing the wonder of the show's incredible puppetry, My Neighbour Totoro has released a new trailer today—giving first-time viewers a rare glimpse of Mei and Satsuki’s magical neighbor, Totoro himself.
Directed by Phelim McDermott, the production won six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards during its debut at the Barbican Theatre, where it broke box office records in 2022. My Neighbour Totoro returned to the Barbican in 2023 before it transferred to the West End's Gillian Lynne Theatre, where it currently plays.
The cast includes Victoria Chen in the role of Mei, Ami Okumura Jones as Mei’s older sister Satsuki, Dai Tabuchi as Tatsuo, Jacqueline Tate as Granny, and Ai Ninomiya as the Singer.
The show’s unique Kazego Puppetry Ensemble includes Rachel Clare Chan, Sally Cheng, Sabrina Pui Yee Chin, Victor Itang, Gabriel S Janoras, Anna Kato, Heather Lai, Ronnie Lee, Matthew Leonhart, Kumiko Mendl (Nurse Emiko), Annakanako Mohri, Lucy Park, Richard P. Peralta, Chloe Ragrag and Shaofan Wilson (Miss Hara).
Completing the company is Phyllis Ho (Yasuko), Steven Nguyen (Kanta), Jamie Zubairi (Hiroshi) and Deanna Myers (Tsukiko), and Swing puppeteers Boaz Chad, Wenshin Lee, Amber Lin, Sera Maehara and Nathaniel Tan.
My Neighbour Totoro features production design by Tom Pye, puppetry design and direction by Basil Twist, costume design by Kimie Nakano, lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun, and movement by You-Ri Yamanaka. The production features music from Joe Hisaishi’s iconic score, newly orchestrated by Will Stuart, performed live with sound design by Tony Gayle. Video design is by Finn Ross and Andrea Scott. The dramaturg is Pippa Hill, the casting director is Hannah Miller CDG, and the sound effects and soundscape designer is Nicola T. Chang.
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.
The story follows two sisters, young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside and discover magical creatures in the nearby forest, including the gentle and mysterious Totoro. As they navigate the challenges of their mother’s illness, the girls find comfort, adventure, and wonder in their new natural surroundings.
My Neighbour Totoro plays at the Gillian Lynne Theatre until March 2026.
