'My Neighbour Totoro' announces full cast
The Royal Shakespeare Company's stage adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro will return to the Barbican Centre in November, following its record-breaking premiere last year.
My Neighbour Totoro has set the complete cast for its return to the London stage this autumn. The Olivier Award-winning production will play at the Barbican Centre from 21 November 2023 to 23 March 2024.
Mei Mac will reprise her Olivier Award-nominated performance as Mei Kusakabe, with Ami Okumura Jones returning as older sister Satsuki, Dai Tabuchi reprising his role as Tatsuo, and Jacqueline Tate as Granny.
The Kazego Puppetry ensemble will include returning members Boaz Chad, Jasmine Chiu, Andrew Futaishi (Hiroshi), Matthew Leonhart, Arina Ii (Miss Hara), Yojiro Ichikawa, Si Rawlinson, Mark Takeshi Ota, and Shaofan Wilson.
Jessie Baek, Jasmine Bayes, Ka Long Kelvin Chan (Kanta), Elizabeth Chu, Anna Kato, Heather Lai, Amanda Maud (Nurse Emiko), Yuki Nitta, Bright Ong, Emily Piggford (Yasuko), Daniel Phung, Gun Suen, and Naomi Yang (Tsukiko) complete the company.
In a five-star London Theatre review, our critic said: "Behind the curtains, a giant silhouette gradually appears, and when those curtains swing open, we finally see him: a huge shaggy mass, so enormous, so peculiar and so utterly beguiling that the audience breaks into rapturous applause. It’s the moment that we know, behind doubt, that the RSC has got this exactly right: My Neighbour Totoro is going to be a massive hit."
The global stage premiere of Hayao Miyazaki’s renowned 1988 animated feature film made history by breaking the Barbican's box office record for the most tickets sold in a single day. The production went on to earn widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences, winning six Olivier Awards.
Phelim McDermott directs the production, working alongside production designer Tom Pye, costume designers Kimie Nakano, lighting design Jessica Hung Han Yun, video designers Finn Ross and Andrea Scott, sound designer Tony Gayle, and movement choreographer You-Ri Yamanaka. Basil Twist oversees puppetry design and direction, in collaboration with Mervyn Millar’s Significant Object and the Jim Henson Creature Shop. The production showcases Joe Hisaishi's iconic score with new orchestrations by Will Stuart, which will be performed by live musicians, including singer Ai Ninomiya.
What is My Neighbour Totoro about?
My Neighbour Totoro follows two young sisters who move to the countryside and encounter friendly forest spirits, including the lovable creature known as Totoro, as they navigate the challenges and wonders of their new rural life. Find out more about Studio Ghibli stage adaptations.
Book My Neighbour Totoro tickets on London Theatre.
Photo credit: My Neighbour Totoro cast (Photo courtesy of production)
Frequently asked questions
What is My Neighbour Totoro about?
Don't miss the theatrical event of 2025, the record-breaking, award-winning My Neighbour Totoro is now playing in London's West End.
Where is My Neighbour Totoro playing?
My Neighbour Totoro is playing at Gillian Lynne Theatre. The theatre is located at 166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW.
How long is My Neighbour Totoro?
The running time of My Neighbour Totoro is 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
How do you book tickets for My Neighbour Totoro?
Book tickets for My Neighbour Totoro on London Theatre.
What's the age requirement for My Neighbour Totoro?
The recommended age for My Neighbour Totoro is Ages 6+. Children under the age of 4 (including babes in arms) will not be admitted. Children need to occupy their own seat. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. All guests, regardless of age, must have a valid ticket..
Who wrote My Neighbour Totoro?
The play, which is written by Tom Morton-Smith, is based on the 1988 Studio Ghibli film of the same name.
Who directed My Neighbour Totoro?
The play is staged by Phelim McDermott, who earned an Olivier Award for his direction of the show at the Barbican.
Is My Neighbour Totoro appropriate for kids?
This imaginative play is best for children ages 6 and up, and those under the age of four will not be permitted in the theatre.
Is My Neighbour Totoro good?
My Neighbour Totoro is a fantastic, award-winning, and record-breaking show. With an imaginative and heartwarming story and exceptional puppetry, this performance is fun for the whole family. The show has also received numerous rave reviews, including London Theatre’s review, which reads, “Tom Morton-Smith’s adaptation strikes a perfect balance of honouring Hayao Miyazaki’s creation and seeking a new theatrical language, brilliantly realised in Phelim McDermott’s exquisite production.”
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