'Spirited Away' to return to London Coliseum as part of world tour

Based on Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar-winning 2001 animated film, Spirited Away tells the story of Chihiro who stumbles into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba.

Summary

• Spirited Away will return to the London Coliseum in spring 2028
• The show heads to London on the final leg of a world tour beginning this year
• The show follows Chihiro as she finds a way to free her parents from magical spirits

Spirited Away will return to the London Coliseum in the West End in spring 2028, as the final leg of a world tour beginning in 2026.

The show, which has its European premiere at the Coliseum in 2024 and was nominated for four Olivier Awards, is presented in the original Japanese, with English captions.

Based on Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar-winning 2001 animated film, Spirited Away tells the story of Chihiro who stumbles into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba when travelling to a new home with her parents. When they are turned into pigs and she is put to work in a magical bathhouse, Chihiro must find a way to strange new place and free her parents, before returning to the normal world.

In a review of the 2024 production, our critic said: "Beyond all the busy ideas and invention, the production also leaves breathing space for quieter scenes to play out. A sequence set in a train carriage, as the light falls, is utterly exquisite: a sort of living painting. It’s magical theatre."

Producers TOHO Co., Ltd said: “Toho is deeply grateful for the opportunity to be welcomed back to London. This production made its world premiere in Tokyo in 2022, followed by sold-out success from London and Shanghai to Seoul. Through this journey, it has proven that the masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki from Studio Ghibli, brought to life through John Caird’s masterful direction, resonates universally. As we embark on a grand world tour from December 2026 through 2028, it is our greatest joy to further share the excellence of Japanese performing arts with audiences worldwide.”

PW Productions said: "We're thrilled to be bringing this extraordinary production of Spirited Away back to London after its sell-out run in 2024. The overwhelming response from audiences during its European premiere made it clear that there is a huge appetite for the production, and we're delighted to be returning to the magnificent London Coliseum, where the production's majestic scale can be fully realised."

Bob Holland, Executive Producer at the London Coliseum, added: “We’re delighted that Spirited Away returns to the London Coliseum in Spring 2028 following the extraordinary and sell-out success of their first run. This production was a huge hit with audiences of all ages and captures the magic of such a beloved Studio Ghibli classic. We look forward to welcoming audiences back for what promises to be the return of a breathtaking adaptation.”

Check back for Spirited Away tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Spirited Away. (Photo by Johan Persson)