The world premiere of MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO, adapted for the stage from the classic Japanese feature animation, will open at London’s Barbican for a strictly limited 15-week run from Saturday 8 October 2022!
The celebrated 1988 animated feature film by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) will be brought to the stage by its original composer Joe Hisaishi in a landmark new adaptation by the RSC (Matilda The Musical) written by playwright Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer). The production is supported by Spanish Luxury House LOEWE, the Headline Sponsor of my MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO, whose connection with Studio Ghibli began in 2021 with the creation of a capsule collection inspired by the original animated film.
Directed by Phelim McDermott with production design by Tom Pye, the production will feature puppetry created by Basil Twist and music from Joe Hisaishi’s iconic score in a new orchestration by Will Stuart, performed live with sound design by Tony Gayle. 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.
Book your MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO theatre tickets today!
We suggest age 6+, but younger guests are welcome. The show will be quite long (running time TBC), quite loud in parts and possibly scary for some younger children at moments. Children need to occupy their own seats at all times throughout the performance. This production is not suitable for children under 4 years of age (including babes in arms).
Cast & Creatives
Haruka Abe (Yasuko/ Puppeteer), Li-Leng Au (Puppeteer), Boaz Chad (Puppeteer), Nino Furuhata (Kanta/ Puppeteer), Andrew Futaishi (Puppeteer), Zachary Hing (Puppeteer), Susan Momoko Hingley (Miss Hara/ Puppeteer), Yojiro Ichikawa (Puppeteer), Arina Ii (Puppeteer), Haruka Kuroda (Nurse Emiko/ Puppeteer), Marian Lee (Puppeteer), Matthew Leonhart (Puppeteer), Mei Mac (Mei), Aki Nakagawa (Puppeteer), Kanako Nakano (Tsukiko/ Puppeteer), Ami Okumura Jones (Satsuki), Michael Phong Le (Hiroshi/ Puppeteer), Tobi Poster-Su (Puppeteer), Si Rawlinson (Puppeteer), Dai Tabuchi (Tatsuo/ Puppeteer), Jacqueline Tate (Granny/ Puppeteer) and Shaofan Wilson (Puppeteer).
Phelim McDermott (Director), Tom Pye (Production Design), Kimie Nakano (Costume Design), Jessica Hung Han Yun (Lighting), You-Ri Yamanaka (Movement), Ailin Conant (Associate Director), Joe Hisaishi (Composer), Tom Morton-Smith (Playwright), Basil Twist (Puppetry), Will Stuart (Orchestration), Tony Gayle (Sound Design), Toshio Suzuki (Illustrator)
Photography by Manuel Harlan (c) RSC with Nippon TV.