The multi-award-winning stage adaptation of Studio Ghibil's 1988 animated feature film is back this Autumn!
The cast of My Neighbour Totoro 2023. Photo by Manuel Harlan
The cast has been announced for the return of MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO.
The multi-award-winning stage adaptation will be back at the Barbican theatre for a strictly limited run from Tuesday 21 November 2023 to Saturday 23 March 2024.
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO broke the Barbican's Box Office record for the most tickets sold in a single day when it was first announced in April 2022. The production opened in October last year where it received both critical and audience acclaim. It went on to win six Olivier Awards, five WhatsOnStage Awards, and the Critic Circle Awards for Best Design.
The cast and creatives of MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO.
Mei Mac will reprise her Olivier and WhatsonStage Award-nominated performance as Mei Kusakabe with Ami Okumura Jones returning as older sister Satsuki, Dai Tabuchi in his role as Tatsuo and Jacqueline Tate as Granny.
Also returning to the production once again as the Kazego Puppetry ensemble are; Boaz Chad, Jasmine Chiu, Andrew Futaishi (Hiroshi), Matthew Leonhart, Arina Ii (Miss Hara), Yojiro Ichikawa, Si Rawlinson, Mark Takeshi Ota and Shaofan Wilson.
Joining them are; 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).
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO is directed by Improbable’s Phelim McDermott with production design by Tom Pye, costume design by Kimie Nakano, lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun, and movement by You-Ri Yamanaka. Puppetry design and direction is by Basil Twist, created with puppetry associate Mervyn Millar’s Significant Object and the Jim Henson Creature Shop.
The production features music from Joe Hisaishi’s iconic score in a new orchestration by Will Stuart, performed by live musicians including singer, Ai Ninomiya, with sound design by Tony Gayle. Video design is by Finn Ross and Andrea Scott. Casting Director is Hannah Miller CDG. Associate Director is Ailin Conant.
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.
What is MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO about?
A "dazzling staging of the Studio Ghibli classic" (The Guardian) returns to the Barbican this Autumn.
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO is an enchanting coming-of-age story that explores the magical fantasy world of childhood and the power that imagination possesses. It follows one extraordinary summer in the lives of sisters Satsuki and Mei.
Whilst their mother recovers from an illness in a rural convalescent hospital, their father moves the family to the countryside so they can be closer. The girls explore the beautiful new surroundings they find themselves in and soon Mei encounters magical creatures, including the ancient protector of the forest. She calls him Totoro.
It takes Satsuki a while to believe her little sister but soon together they are swept along on an exciting adventure with their new neighbours. They're transported to a long-forgotten realm of spirits, sprites, and natural wonder.
With jaw-dropping puppetry and a story that will warm your heart, don't miss the return of MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO.
Book MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO tickets.
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO is back at the Barbican for a limited season from Tuesday 21 November 2023 to Saturday 23 March 2024.
