Tom Morton-Smith's (Oppenheimer) acclaimed stage adaptation of the 1988 Japanese animated fantasy film, winner of multiple awards, will transfer to the West End next month after its successful runs at the Barbican Theatre.
The West End company of My Neighbour Totoro. Photo by Johan Persson
The full cast has been announced for My Neighbour Totoro which opens at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on the 08 March 2025.
Victoria Chen joins the company to play the role of Mei. Reprising their roles on the production are Ami Okumura Jones as Mei’s older sister Satsuki, Dai Tabuchi as Tatsuo, Jacqueline Tate as Granny, and Ai Ninomiya as the Singer.
The show’s unique Kazego Puppetry Ensemble will once again include Matthew Leonhart, Heather Lai, Shaofan Wilson (Miss Hara) and Anna Kato, who will be joined by new members, Rachel Clare Chan, Sally Cheng, Sabrina Pui Yee Chin, Victor Itang, Gabriel S Janoras, Ronnie Lee, Kumiko Mendl (Nurse Emiko), Annakanako Mohri, Richard Peralta, Lucy Park and Chloe Ragrag.
Completing the cast are Phyllis Ho (Yasuko), Steven Nguyen (Kanta), Jamie Zubairi (Hiroshi) and Deanna Myers (Tsukiko).
Directed by Improbable Co-Founder Phelim McDermott, My Neighbour Totoro has won six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards. The creative team also includes 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. The production features 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, Casting Director is Hannah Miller CDG and the Sound Effects & Soundscape Designer are by Nicola T Chang.
My Neighbour Totoro tells a heartwarming story about about two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside to be closer to their ailing mother. As they explore their new surroundings, they encounter magical forest spirits, including the gentle and mysterious Totoro, who helps them navigate their emotions and fears.
