'My Neighbour Totoro' announces new principal casting

Helen Chong makes her West End debut as Satsuki, taking over the role from Ami Okumura Jones, who was part of the original 2022 Barbican cast.

Summary

• Helen Chong joins the cast of My Neighbour Totoro
• The show is celebrating one year in the West End
• My Neighbour Totoro is a stage adaptation of the celebrated 1988 animated film

New principal casting has been announced for My Neighbour Totoro in the West End, as the show continues its run at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and celebrates its first anniversary.

Helen Chong makes her West End debut as Satsuki, taking over the role from Ami Okumura Jones, who was part of the original 2022 Barbican cast.

Continuing their roles are Victoria Chen as Satsuki’s younger sister Mei, Dai Tabuchi as their father Tatsuo, Jacqueline Tate as Granny, and Ai Ninomiya as the Singer.

Joining the show’s Kazego Puppetry Ensemble are Karen Barredo, Melisa Camba, Jeffrey Chekai, Chui Yen, Eero Chen Liu (Principal puppeteer), Natsumi Kuroda (Tsukiko), Yui Minari, Michelle Miners, Gun Suen (Principal puppeteer), Si Rawlinson (Movement Captain), Sango Tajima (Miss Hara/Principal puppeteer) and Bai Zhijin. Continuing in their roles are Rachel Clare Chan, Phyllis Ho, Victor Itang, Gabriel S. Janoras, Kumiko Mendl (Nurse Emiko), Steven Nguyen (Kanta), Richard P. Peralta and Jamie Zubairi. The swings include Ronnie Lee, Wenhsin Lee, Amber Lin and Sera Maehara.

Producer Kenichi Yoda, who is also a board member of Studio Ghibli, said: "We are truly delighted to be celebrating the first anniversary at London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre. It is our great honour that this intimate story of a small family continues to reach so many audience members. We are deeply grateful to Joe Hisaishi for conceiving and guiding this project. Echoing the words of Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki — who holds the London production especially close to his heart and said, “When people think of London, I hope they will remember Totoro” — we remain committed to sharing this story with audiences."

Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, RSC Co-Artistic Directors, said: "It’s wonderful to see My Neighbour Totoro continuing to enchant audiences at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Its flawless staging and masterful craft allow the audience to rediscover the wonder of childhood and the enduring power of hope and community.

"We're so excited to welcome our new cast and congratulate the entire company on reaching this milestone in the West End."

Director Phelim McDermott: "I am thrilled to welcome the new cast of My Neighbour Totoro to our home at the Gillian Lynne theatre. After a year of the show growing and evolving in the West End, it feels incredibly exciting — and very moving — to begin this next chapter with our new company members. It’s been a real joy to spend time with them and to witness the imagination, care and openness they bring to our Totoro world. Every new ensemble brings new energy to the piece in subtle and beautiful ways, and I’m certain audiences are going to feel the renewed energy and spirit they bring. The show is in wonderful hands, and it will continue to be something truly special.”

Adapted by Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer) from the 1988 animated feature film, the Olivier Award-winning My Neighbour Totoro follows two sisters as they relocate to the countryside while their mother recovers from illness in a local hospital. As Mei investigates her new surroundings, she discovers a magical side to the forest that surrounds their home, meeting a mysterious creature she names 'Totoro'.

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, with music from Joe Hisaishi’s iconic score in a new orchestration 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, and Sound Effects and Soundscape Designer is Nicola T Chang.

Book My Neighbour Totoro tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Helen Chong. (Photo by Matt Crockett)