In 2022, Studio Ghibli's 1988 classic My Neighbor Totoro appears on stage for the first time. Now, showrunners have confirmed that the production will return for a new round of performances in 2025.

As detailed on the stage adaptation's official website, My Neighbor Totoro has just announced its upcoming 34-week run at the Gillian Lynne Theater in London's West End. A unique collaboration between the Royal Shakespeare Company and Nippon TV, the show retells Hayao Miyazaki's beloved story using elaborately designed sets and innovative puppetry. The production also features Joe Hisaishi's original stage score, presented with new arrangements created by Will Stuart (The Corn Is Green, The Drifers Girl). The show is scheduled to take place from March 8 to November 2, 2025. Those who want to attend can book tickets on the official My Neighbor Totoro website.

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Studio Ghibli's My Neighbor Totoro tells the story of two young girls named Satsuki and Mei, who move with their father from the city to rural Japan. As they settle into their new home, the girls meet countless friendly nature spirits such as the sooty sprites, the Catbus, and the film's main symbol – a soft, acorn-loving giant who lives inside. a giant camphor tree. To show special interest in the character that would eventually become their company mascot, Ghibli teamed up with some of Britain's top creators for Totoro's first official theatrical performance. . The production is directed by Improv Theater co-founder Phelim McDermott, who is known for his stage productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream (2002), The Addam's Family (2009) and Enchanted Island (2011). .

A live-action version of My Neighbor Totoro could appear in the US

Totoro was developed for the stage by British playwright Tom Morton-Smith, who is best known for his 2015 stage play Oppenheimer. Smith recently released a statement expressing his delight at the show's recent renewal. “It was an incredibly special show that combined beautiful technical design with a lot of heart and humanity,” Smith said. “…spending time with these characters and with Miyazaki's one-of-a-kind gentle giant has been both a joy and an honor, and I can't wait to share this show with audiences again new and returning audiences.” Additionally, Griselda Yorke, Executive Producer for the RSC's My Neighbor Totoro, has stated that the film will “definitely have life beyond the West End”, suggesting the possibility of a US release in the future.

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The original screening of My Neighbor Totoro took place at the Barbican Center in London from 8 October 2022 to 21 January 2023. The show performed very well with both critics and general audiences, which This eventually led to a second, limited run in the fall of 2023. In the same year, the play won six Olivier Awards in categories including Best Director, Outstanding Set Design and Best Entertainment or Comedy. Studio Ghibli president Toshio Suzuki, who was closely involved in the production of the original film, helped promote the film by creating hand-drawn title artwork for promotional materials. Suzuki once said: “It would be great if people thought of Totoro when they thought of London.”

Audiences in the US and Japan can stream My Neighbor Totoro as well as other Ghibli films on Max.

My neighbor is Totoro

When two girls move to the countryside to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with magical forest spirits living nearby.

Release date April 16, 1988

Studio Ghibli Studio

Cast Hitoshi Takagi, Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Shigesato Itoi, Sumi Shimamoto, Tanie Kitabayashi

Running time 86 minutes

Source: Official website for live-action My Neighbor Totoro production, Deadline