{"id":961383,"date":"2026-05-15T10:58:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T10:58:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/961383\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T10:58:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T10:58:20","slug":"my-neighbour-totoro-to-close-in-the-west-end","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/961383\/","title":{"rendered":"My Neighbour Totoro to close in the West End"},"content":{"rendered":"

The multi-award-winning stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli\u2019s 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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 <\/a><\/strong>in the West End.<\/p>\n

Book tickets to My Neighbour Totoro<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

About My Neighbour Totoro\"MyMy Neighbour Totoro \u2013 London. Photo by Manuel Harlan<\/p>\n

My Neighbour Totoro was adapted by Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer) from Hayao Miyazaki\u2019s celebrated 1988 animated feature film and is directed by Improbable co-founder Phelim McDermott.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The production has won six Olivier Awards since its premiere and broke the Barbican\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The show\u2019s legacy: key milestones\"MyMy Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan<\/p>\n

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\u2019s all-time single-day box office record in April 2022 before opening to rapturous critical and audience reception in October of that year.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Its six Olivier Awards, a remarkable haul for any production, reflect the breadth of craft on show: from Tom Pye\u2019s production design and Basil Twist\u2019s extraordinary puppetry to Jessica Hung Han Yun\u2019s lighting and the live orchestration of Joe Hisaishi\u2019s iconic score by Will Stuart.<\/p>\n

RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said the production \u201crepresents 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,\u201d adding that it has \u201cheld a special place\u201d for the Company since its beginnings at the Barbican.<\/p>\n

The cast<\/p>\n

The current cast features:<\/p>\n