My Neighbour Totoro will return to the West End in 2025, for an extended run at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. The work previously enjoyed a world premiere at the Barbican in 2022, where it returned for a 2023 encore.
The return engagement will run for 34 weeks in 2025, from March 8 to November 2, 2025, with an opening night set for March 20.
Based on the beloved 1988 Studio Ghibli film, My Neighbour Totoro took home the most wins of 2023 Olivier Awards, with six wins, including Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, and Best Director for Phelim McDermott.
Presented by executive producer Joe Hisaishi, the Royal Shakespeare Company production is a coming-of-age adventure story following sisters Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their ill mother. Mei explores the new area, meeting magical creature and the ancient protector Totoro in the work's fantasy world setting.
Says Tom Morton-Smith, the productions Olivier winning adapter, “I am delighted that our take on Totoro will make the move into the West End next year. It’s an incredibly special show that has managed to marry beautiful technical design with so much heart and humanity. I am thrilled that even more people will get to experience the magic and wonder that this production conjures. Spending time with these characters and with Miyazaki’s incomparable gentle giant has been both a joy and an honor, and I can’t wait to once again share this show with audiences both new and returning.”
Casting will be announced at a later date.
In addition to Morton-Smith's adaptation, the production features music from Hisaishi, who serves as composer in addition to executive producer. Phelim McDermott directs the production which features production design by Tom Pye, costume design by Kimie Nakano, lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun, movement by You-Ri Yamanaka and puppetry design and direction is by Basil Twist. Hisaishi’s score has been expanded with a new orchestration by Will Stuart, performed live with sound design by Tony Gayle. Video design is by Finn Ross and Andrea Scott.
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.
For more information, visit LWTheatres.co.uk.
