The Best Family Show in London: My Neighbour Totoro or Paddington the Musical?

What is My Neighbour Totoro about?

Based on the beloved 1988 Studio Ghibli film directed by Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbour Totoro follows two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to a new home in the country with their father while their mother battles a deadly illness in a rural hospital. While exploring the forests around their spooky old house, the sisters encounter a friendly forest spirit named Totoro. Mei and Satsuki whisked away on a fantastical adventure into the world of spirits and otherworldly creatures, all while grappling with the terror and grief of potentially losing their mother.

Where is My Neighbour Totoro performed?

The Gillian Lynne Theatre is located at 166 Drury Lane, WC2B 5PW, with the main entrance on Parker Street. It’s a 5‑minute walk from Holborn or Covent Garden Tube stations (Piccadilly/Central lines), with Tottenham Court Road also nearby.

My Neighbour Totoro production image. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Why do people love My Neighbour Totoro?

My Neighbour Totoro captures the whimsical tone and magical atmospheric story-telling of the original Studio Ghibli film, which many of us watched as children and have a lot of nostalgic attachment to. This makes it appealing to audiences of all ages, from adults who adored the film to children who are newer to the story, making it the perfect bit of theatre for the whole family.

Along with a delightfully enchanting story about forest spirits and otherworldly adventures, it also explores darker, more mature themes such as the fear of losing a parent, making it a complex and all-encompassing ode to childhood in all its magic and fears, and a coming of age story that we can all relate to in one way or another.

And of course, audiences will fall in love with Totoro, brought to life by puppet designer Basil Twist and costume designer Kimie Nakano with creative and clever puppetry and stage magic. An ensemble of twenty puppeteers also work together to create the eerie and beautiful spirit world, appearing as forest spirits, plants, and even the wind.

The cast of Paddington the Musical. Photo by Johan Persson.

What is Paddington the Musical about?

Based on the best-selling 1950s children’s books by Michael Bond and the 2014 Studiocanal film, the musical tells the story of Paddington, a charmingly polite bespectacled bear from Peru who arrives in London one day in search of a family. He’s found and adopted by the Brown family and immediately worms his way into their hearts, and into the lives of their friends and neighbours. His insatiable curiosity, and love for marmalade sandwiches, means he’s constantly getting into trouble, including becoming the target for a villainous taxidermist, creating the perfect recipe for an unforgettable adventure.

Where is Paddington the Musical performed?

The Savoy Theatre sits at Savoy Court, The Strand, London WC2R 0ET. The nearest Tube station to the theatre is Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines), about a five-minute walk away. Embankment (Circle/District/Northern/Bakerloo), Covent Garden (Piccadilly), and Temple (Circle/District) are all within 7–10 minutes on foot. There is great access to the theatre via buses and taxis as well.

Why do people love Paddington the Musical?

Paddington has become a staple of British culture, appearing in film, toy stores, and even a comedy sketch with the Queen as part of the London 2012 Olympic Ceremony. It’s a delightful treat to experience him in a brand new light, up close and personal onstage, especially for those who grew up with the character. Children and adults alike will be charmed by this adorable little bear in his iconic coat and hat, and his curious, polite, and mischievous attitude.

Audiences also fell in love with the musical’s heartwarming and poignant story, with its themes of searching for a home and finding new friends and kindness in a strange new city. The musical also adapts Paddington’s original story for a modern age by making it an odd to London’s diversity and multiculturalism, and the city’s welcoming attitude to immigrants and refugees.

Paddington himself comes to jaw-dropping life on the stage through some clever stage magic and a team effort between Arti Shah in costume and James Hameed as a remote puppeteer, making him look both hyper-realistic and endearingly expressive.

What are the key differences between My Neighbour Totoro and Paddington the Musical?

Although both stage plays are family-friendly stories with instantly recognisable characters portrayed by puppetry, they offer very different storytelling experiences. My Neighbour Totoro is set in postwar Japan and is a fantasy adventure featuring an enchanted forest full of magical creatures, while Paddington the Musical is set in modern-day Britain and, aside from a talking bear, is relatively grounded in realism. Paddington is very much the protagonist of his musical, with a supporting cast of human characters, while Totoro takes a back seat to the two sisters who lead the coming-of-age story of My Neighbour Totoro.

My Neighbour Totoro is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, particularly folklore and animism, while Paddington the Musical is quintessentially British in its characters, humour, and setting. Paddington is also, of course, a musical with original songs by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, while My Neighbour Totoro is a stage play.

Which one should you go see?

If you’re in the mood for something humorous and light-hearted, then opt for Paddington the Musical. It’s also a great choice if you love musicals - you’ll fall in love instantly with the show’s catchy soundtrack. If you’re a tourist and you want to experience something quintessentially British, then you can’t go wrong with a British pop culture icon and a very British style of humour.

If you’re leaning more towards something slightly more serious and introspective, or if you love all things fantasy and mystical, then My Neighbour Totoro is the way to go. It’s also the perfect option if you’re fascinated by Japanese culture, and especially if you enjoy the gorgeous visuals and unique aesthetics of Japanese anime.

Paddington the Musical is currently booking at the Savoy Theatre until February 14, 2027, while My Neighbour Totoro is booking through August 30, 2026.