The multi-award-winning stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro has announced its final West End extension, with the production confirmed to close at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on 10 January 2027.
The Royal Shakespeare Company and Improbable, in collaboration with Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi and Nippon TV, made the announcement today, confirming that this extension will be the last opportunity to see My Neighbour Totoro in the West End.
Book tickets to My Neighbour Totoro
About My Neighbour Totoro
My Neighbour Totoro – London. Photo by Manuel Harlan
My Neighbour Totoro was adapted by Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer) from Hayao Miyazaki’s celebrated 1988 animated feature film and is directed by Improbable co-founder Phelim McDermott.
The production follows sisters Satsuki and Mei, whose mother has fallen ill. Moving with their father from the city to the Japanese countryside to be closer to her, the girls discover a world of magical creatures and ancient spirits including the great forest guardian that Mei names Totoro.
Part family adventure, part meditation on the natural world, the show is widely regarded as one of the most visually inventive and emotionally resonant productions of recent years.
The production has won six Olivier Awards since its premiere and broke the Barbican’s single-day box office record ahead of its global premiere in October 2022. Following its initial Barbican run, the show transferred to the Gillian Lynne Theatre in the West End, where it has been playing to packed houses ever since.
The show’s legacy: key milestones
My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan
My Neighbour Totoro has been one of the most celebrated theatrical achievements of the decade. Its journey began at the Barbican Centre, where it broke the venue’s all-time single-day box office record in April 2022 before opening to rapturous critical and audience reception in October of that year.
A strictly limited return to the Barbican followed in Autumn 2023, before the production closed there in March 2024 and moved to the Gillian Lynne Theatre in the West End.
Its six Olivier Awards, a remarkable haul for any production, reflect the breadth of craft on show: from Tom Pye’s production design and Basil Twist’s extraordinary puppetry to Jessica Hung Han Yun’s lighting and the live orchestration of Joe Hisaishi’s iconic score by Will Stuart.
RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said the production “represents a remarkable international collaboration, uniting artists and partners to tell a story of wonder, family and the natural world that resonates so deeply with audiences,” adding that it has “held a special place” for the Company since its beginnings at the Barbican.
The cast
The current cast features:
- Victoria Chen as Mei
- Helen Chong as Satsuki
- Dai Tabuchi as Tatsuo
- Jacqueline Tate as Granny
- Ai Ninomiya as Kaze No Koe/Singer
The production’s unique Kazego Puppetry Ensemble includes Karen Barredo, Melisa Camba, Rachel Clare Chan, Jeffrey Chekai, Chui Yen, Phyllis Ho (Yasuko), Victor Itang, Gabriel S. Janoras, Natsumi Kuroda (Tsukiko), Eero Chen Liu (Principal Puppeteer), Kumiko Mendl (Nurse Emiko), Yui Minari, Michelle Miners, Steven Nguyen (Kanta), Richard P. Peralta, Gun Suen (Principal Puppetry Captain), Sango Tajima (Miss Hara/Principal Puppeteer), Bai Zhijin and Jamie Zubairi (Hiroshi). Swings include Ronnie Lee, Wenhsin Lee, Amber Lin, Sera Maehara and Si Rawlinson (Movement Captain).
The creative team
Directed by Phelim McDermott, with 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.
Music from Joe Hisaishi’s iconic score is performed live in a new orchestration by Will Stuart, with sound design by Tony Gayle. Video design is by Finn Ross and Andrea Scott, dramaturg Pippa Hill, casting director Hannah Miller CDG and sound effects and soundscape design by Nicola T Chang.
Don’t miss it
With just over seven months of performances remaining, now is the time to book. Producer Kenichi Yoda and Executive Producer Griselda Yorke described it as “an honour to realise Joe Hisaishi’s vision of a staged production of Studio Ghibli’s iconic film,” and expressed delight at the opportunity to share the show “with more audiences” at the Gillian Lynne Theatre before it closes for good.
Book tickets to My Neighbour Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre here
Plan your visit
- My Neighbour Totoro
- Venue: Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PW
- Final performance: 10 January 2027
- Performance schedule: Tuesday–Saturday evenings 7pm; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees 2pm
My Neighbour Totoro
Gillian Lynne Theatre, London
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📷 Main photo: My Neighbour Totoro – new cast announced. Photo by Matt Crockett
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