The world premiere of *My Neighbour Totoro* triumphed at the 2023 Olivier Awards, winning six categories out of its nine nominations at the ceremony. It’s a good time for the Studio Ghibli stage adaptation, too, as *My Neighbour Totoro* will open in the West End next year, with performances at the [Gillian Lynne Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/gillian-lynne-theatre) from 8 March.

Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 Studio Ghibli film, *My Neighbour Totoro* follows Satsuki and Mei,...

Here's why 'My Neighbour Totoro' deserved all the Oliviers

My Neighbour Totoro - 1200 - LT

Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 Studio Ghibli film, *My Neighbour Totoro* will return to London later next year, opening at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

Next year, the [Royal Shakespeare Company’s](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/stars-on-stage/royal-shakespeare-company) triumphant 2022 stage adaptation of [*My Neighbour Totoro*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/25389-my-neighbour-totoro) heads to the West End's [Gillian Lynne Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/gillian-lynne-theatre) for a third run due to enormous popular demand. The show won six Olivier Awards and broke the Barbican’s box office record for the most tickets...

What to expect from London shows based on Studio Ghibli films

Totoro - 1200 - LT - 270422

Studio Ghibli is a renowned Japanese animation film studio founded in 1985. They are known for creating imaginative movies, including *My Neighbour Totoro* and *Spirited Away*.

A stage adaptation of television comedy *Inside No 9* will arrive in the West End next year. The show opens for a 12-week run at Wyndham's Theatre from 18 January 2025.

The TV show's original writers and performers Steve Pemberton (*The Pillowman*) and Reece Shearsmith (*A Very Expensive Poison*) will star in the West End show, titled *Stage/Fright*, which will blend original material with familiar characters from the series. 

Speaking about the announcement, Pemberton and Shearsmith said:...

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith's 'Inside No 9' to be adapted for the West End 

inside no 9 artwork 1200 LT

The TV show's original creators Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith will star in the West End adaptation when it opens next year. 

The hit musical comedy *Titanique* has confirmed plans for a West End run later this year. The show is currently performing at Off-Broadway venue the Daryl Roth Theatre.

The musical, which is co-written by Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle, and Constantine Rousouli, has received critical acclaim and multiple awards since its premiere off Broadway at Asylum Theater in 2022.

The parody of James Cameron's Oscar-winning *Titanic* film features a raft of Celine Dion’s iconic songs including “My Heart Will...

'Titanique' confirms planned West End run

titanique 2023-1200x600-NYTG

The musical has received critical acclaim and multiple awards since its premiere off Broadway at Asylum Theater in 2022. It is currently at the Daryl Roth Theatre.

The British writer James Graham is on an incredible run at the moment. He just won the Olivier Award for Best New Play for *Dear England*, a fantastic drama about football manager Gareth Southgate, which enticed new audiences into theatre, and the musical *Tammy Faye*, for which he supplied the book, is opening on Broadway this autumn.

He’s also a prolific screenwriter, with recent hits including the crime series *Sherwood* and the dystopian drama *The Way*. Graham has that rare combination of...

Learn more about James Graham’s career ahead of 'Boys from the Blackstuff'

James Graham - 1200

From plays *Dear England* and *This House* to TV hits like *Sherwood*, Graham is unstoppable – and now his *Boys from the Blackstuff* is coming to the West End.

The bright lights of West End theatres are always appealing, but there are also a number of exciting Off-West End venues in the capital, such as the small but mighty [Bush Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/bush-theatre), which is nestled in west London.

This theatre has always punched above its weight, launching the careers of hugely successful writers such as James Graham and Lucy Kirkwood, as well as actors like Victoria Wood, Alan Rickman, Andrew Scott, and Phoebe...

A complete guide to the Bush Theatre

Bush Theatre credit Philip Vile

Get to know this exciting new-writing venue in west London, which has launched the careers of Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Victoria Wood, among others.

The acclaimed screen and stage actor Ben Whishaw is back in town, starring in the premiere of Margaret Perry’s *[Bluets](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/39930-bluets)* at the Royal Court. The play is an adaptation of Maggie Nelson’s book and follows someone obsessed with the colour blue – taking in artists like Joni Mitchell and Billie Holiday as they navigate a devastating heartbreak.

Whishaw is joined in *Bluets* by *House of the Dragon* star Emma D’Arcy and *The Girl Before*’s Kayla...

Learn more about Ben Whishaw's career ahead of 'Bluets' at the Royal Court

Bluets logo - LT - 1200

The James Bond and *Paddington* actor is co-starring in this new adaptation of Maggie Nelson's book *Bluets* with Emma D'Arcy and Kayla Meikle.

It’s another fantastic year for [Shakespeare plays](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/whats-on/shakespeare) in London, and as the weather (finally!) improves, you can start getting those outdoor shows in the diary, as well as all of the brilliant productions in the West End and beyond.

If you’re after a fresh take on the Bard, you’re definitely in luck. Sir Ian McKellen is already wowing audiences, giving his Falstaff a dynamic new spin in Robert Icke's adaptation of *Henry IV*, *[Player...

See modern adaptations and outdoor productions of Shakespeare plays in London

Player Kings - LT - 1200

Player Kings. Ian McKellen (Falstaff) & Toheeb Jimoh (Prince Harry). Credit - Manuel Harlan. 029

From Ian McKellen in *Player Kings* to an incredible open-air season at Shakespeare's Globe, there's a wide variety of shows on offer in London.

You just can’t beat family when it comes to riveting drama. Perhaps that’s because no one gets under your skin quite like the people you love and who know you best – and who are bonded to you by blood, like it or not. From Greek tragedy through Shakespearean slanging matches and contemporary clans, shows with family drama at their centre have always ruled our stages.

That’s certainly true of London theatre this year, which features a range of bickering families – from plays like *[Long Day's...

Watch West End family dramas on the London stage

Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson long days journey 1200 LT credit Johan Persson.

Enter the homes of these loving but fraught families in West End plays such as *Long Day's Journey Into Night* and musicals like *Back to the Future*.

Get ready for what promises to be the most talked-about play of the year. Hollywood star John Lithgow will play Roald Dahl in a new drama, *[Giant](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/39984-giant)*, which sees the famous author about to release his children’s book *The Witches*, but then rocked by a scandal surrounding anti-Semitic comments he made in an article.

Mark Rosenblatt’s debut play, directed by Nicholas Hytner (artistic director of the Bridge Theatre), also stars Elliot Levey...

Learn more about John Lithgow's career ahead of him playing Roald Dahl in 'Giant'

Giant logo - LT - 1200

The Tony and Emmy-winning Hollywood actor is starring in Mark Rosenblatt’s provocative new play *Giant* at the Royal Court in London this autumn.

[Close Up - The Twiggy Musical](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/elena-skye-to-play-twiggy-in-ben-eltons-close-up-the-twiggy-musical) will have a limited run at the Off-West End's [Menier Chocolate Factory](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/menier-chocolate-factory) between the 18 September and 18 November 2023. 

Joining Elena Skye as she takes on the role of the iconic Twiggy will be Lauren Azania AJ King-Yombo (*Heartbeat of Home*, *Magic of Mowtown*), Matt Corner (*Fiddler on the Roof*), Darren Day (*Footloose, Chicago*), Beth Devine (*White Christmas*), Aoife Dunne (*Play in A Day, Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends*), Hannah-Jane Fox (*We Will Rock You, Rent*), Steven Serlin (*Hairspray, Heathers*), with Emma-Katie Adcock, Liam Buckland, Harriet Bunton, Leanne Garretty, Luke Johnson, David McIntosh, Danny Nattrass, Sydney Spencer and Karen Walker.

Ben Elton will direct and write the new musical. The creative team is made up of choreographer Jacob Fearey, set and video designer, Tim Bird, costume designer Jonathan Lipman, sound designer Gregory Clarke, wig and makeup designer Diana Estrada Hudson, musical director and orchestrator Stuart Morley.

Following the tragedies and triumphs of one of the most well-known faces of the 20th century, this new musical is the story of how a woman with a working-class background achieved her dreams in a world of snobbery and sexism.

[Book *Close Up - The Twiggy Musical* tickets on London Theatre.](https://ticket.londontheatre.co.uk/booking/calendar/31374/2023-09?content_product_id=31374&product_type=show&qt=2&venue_id=117)

*Photo credit: Twiggy and Elena Skye (Photos courtesy of Brian Aris)*

Complete cast revealed for 'Close Up - The Twiggy Musical'

Twiggy and Elena Skye LT 1200

Close Up: The Twiggy Musical - LON 

Close Up: The Twiggy Musical

Close Up: The Twiggy Musical - Hero

Close Up: The Twiggy Musical - LON  Product Media

Close Up 1600x1200

Close Up Video LON

Close Up Poster

CU Square

Close Up: The Twiggy Musical LON LondonTheatre

Discover the struggles and successes behind one of the twentieth century's most iconic figures in this new musical about the actress, model, and singer Twiggy. Ben Elton writes and directs, accompanied by the hits that have been the soundtrack to Twiggy's life. Book tickets on London Theatre today.

This isn’t the first time that Ben Elton has taken a legendary figure and represented them in a stage musical. He’s responsible for the mammoth hit *We Will Rock You*, which uses Queen’s incredible back catalogue. Elton even appeared in this show himself earlier this year! He’s also worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber on shows like *The Beautiful Game* and *Love Never Dies*, sequel to *The Phantom of the Opera*.

*Close-Up – The Twiggy Musical* even features previous stars from *We Will Rock You*. Elena Skye, who inhabits Twiggy herself, played Scaramouche, while Hannah-Jane Fox, who has the key role of Twiggy’s mother, was actually the original Scaramouche in the West End.

The score takes pop songs from key points in Twiggy’s life and uses them to reflect her experience. Together with the fab fashion by Jonathan Lipman and groovy moves by Jacob Fearey, it’s a thoroughly entertaining telling of a remarkable life story.

## What to watch for

- The musical cleverly uses photographs and video footage from the time to help illustrate the tale. You’ll spot clips of well-known figures like Woody Allen, and see the real Twiggy performing – interspersed with performances and impersonations by the actors.
- The score is a blast from the past, featuring everything from 60s tracks Downtown and Just One Look to Seventies classic “The Air That I Breathe” – a love duet sung by Twiggy and her future husband, cowboy actor Michael Witney.
- Did you know that Twiggy was a musical leading lady? She starred in the 1971 film of *The Boy Friend*, winning two Golden Globe awards, then made her Broadway debut in 1983 with Gershwin's musical *My One and Only*, for which she was Tony-nominated.
- The show also documents Twiggy’s recording career. She released her first single in 1971, “Zoo de Zoo Zong”, and her eponymous album in 1976. Midnight Blue followed these in 2003 and Romantically Yours in 2011.


Close Up: The Twiggy Musical TT LON 

Are you ready for your close-up? Ben Elton writes and directs this new musical about the life of Twiggy, the 60s model, actress, and singer. Discover how this icon overcame obstacles, going from a working-class upbringing to becoming one of the most recognisable faces of the twentieth century.

The story of a skinny kid from Neasden who became the most famous teenager on the planet and the ‘face of the 1960’s may seem like the stuff of fairy tales, but there is tragedy as well as triumph in this intimate portrayal of a true 20th century icon.

Pacific Overtures - LON [34549]

Pacific Overtures

The Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre opened in 2004. It is located in a former 1870s chocolate factory and is made up of a theatre, a rehearsal space, as well as an on-site restaurant and bar. UK premieres at the Menier Chocolate Factory include *Tick, Tick... Boom!*, *The Color Purple* and *The Last Five Years*. Many musicals staged at the Menier Chocolate Factory transfer to the West End, including *Sunday in the Park with George* and *[Fiddler on the Roof](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/fiddler-on-the-roof)*. 

Menier Chocolate Factory - LON

Menier Chocolate Factory - LON - 644x322px

Menier Chocolate Factory

Explore West End shows, book last minute theatre tickets, and more

Discover London

London All Shows Image

Latest London Insider Posts

London 

London Tile Image

Venues in London

Menier Chocolate Factory - London Theatre

Menier Chocolate Factory - TodayTix

Menier-SeatingMap

Ben Elton's new musical, that explores the life of model, actress, and singer Twiggy, will debut at the Menier Chocolate Factory from September.

Complete cast revealed for 'Close Up - The Twiggy Musical'

Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock exclusive London theatre updates!