First Official Look at My Neighbor Totoro’s Adorable West End Stage Show Revealed
If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli, there’s some delightful news from London’s West End. The stage adaptation of My Neighbor Totoro continues its run, and now we have our first look at official artwork from the show. The images bring the magic of Totoro to life, showing the famous scene where Mei and Satsuki meet the lovable forest spirit for the first time. If you ever wondered whether Totoro could be just as adorable on stage as in the film, these pictures are your answer.
- First official artwork from the My Neighbor Totoro stage show released
- Production runs at London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre until March 2026
- Victoria Chen and Ami Okumura star as Mei and Satsuki
- Totoro and other creatures are brought to life by puppeteers
- Links to official ticket sales included
My Neighbor Totoro: Bringing Ghibli Magic to the Stage
The My Neighbor Totoro stage show first premiered in 2022 at London’s Barbican Centre for a three-month run. It made a triumphant return in late 2023 and is now set at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in the West End, where it will stay until March 2026. The adaptation is written by playwright Tom Morton-Smith, known for his work on the play Oppenheimer (not the recent Christopher Nolan film).
Classic Scenes, Stunning Puppetry
The newly released images recreate the iconic moment where sisters Mei and Satsuki meet Totoro while hiding from the rain. In the artwork, the girls are sheltered under an umbrella while Totoro stands by with his signature leaf hat and a blank, endearing expression. This stage version uses large, intricate puppets operated by a team of puppeteers, making the forest spirits feel just as real as they do in the beloved animated film.
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Victoria Chen and Ami Okumura take on the roles of Mei and Satsuki. Meanwhile, a talented group of puppeteers brings not only Totoro but all the magical creatures of the story to life, adding a new layer of wonder for theatergoers. This attention to detail helps make the show a must-see for Ghibli fans and theater lovers alike.
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More Ghibli on Stage
My Neighbor Totoro isn’t the only Studio Ghibli film to get the stage treatment. In 2022, Spirited Away was also adapted for the stage, featuring stunning puppetry that captured the spirit of the original movie. Director John Caird, who worked on the adaptation, shared, “I think [Hayao Miyazaki] knew that the film obviously spoke for itself. I think the assumption was that I would be respectful with the material — which of course, I had no choice but to be respectful. It’s one of the best movies ever made.”
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How to See the Show
If you’re planning a trip to London, or you’re already nearby, you can catch My Neighbor Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre until March 2026. Tickets and more information are available on the official website. Be sure to check out the official images below for a sneak peek at the stage magic!
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