Go behind the scenes of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro with these new photographs released by the producers of the stage adaptation of the animated film currently playing at Gillian Lynne Theatre.
Satsuki and Mei’s mother has taken ill. In order to be closer to her while she recovers in a rural convalescent hospital, their father moves the two sisters from their home in a city to the countryside. And though the countryside is beautiful and the people friendly, it’s hard not to be scared when the wind rustles the trees at night. As the sisters explore their new surroundings, young Mei encounters magical creatures and the ancient protector of the forest she calls “Totoro” – and they are to be the girls’ neighbours.
Although Satsuki doesn’t believe her little sister at first, they are soon both swept up in exciting adventures with their new neighbours – transported to a long-forgotten realm of spirits, sprites, and natural wonder.
Adapted by Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer) from Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 animated feature film, the production is directed by Phelim McDermott. The cast includes Victoria Chen in the role of Mei, 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 includes Rachel Clare Chan, Sally Cheng, Sabrina Pui Yee Chin, Victor Itang, Gabriel S Janoras, Anna Kato, Heather Lai, Ronnie Lee, Matthew Leonhart, Kumiko Mendl (Nurse Emiko), Annakanako Mohri, Lucy Park, Richard Peralta, Chloe Ragrag and Shaofan Wilson (Miss Hara).
Completing the company is Phyllis Ho (Yasuko), Steven Nguyen (Kanta), Jamie Zubairi (Hiroshi) and Deanna Myers (Tsukiko), and Swing puppeteers Boaz Chad, Wenshin Lee, Amber Lin, Sera Maehara and Nathaniel Tan.
My Neighbour Totoro features 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 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 and sound effects & soundscape designer is Nicola T Chang.
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.
My Neighbour Totoro broke the Barbican’s box fffice record for most tickets sold in a single day in April 2022, ahead of its global premiere in October 2022. Following critical and audience acclaim, the production returned to the Barbican Centre for a strictly limited run in Autumn 2023. The production closed at the Barbican Centre in March 2024.
The show comes from executive producer Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), in collaboration with Nippon TV and Improbable.
My Neighbour Totoro is running at Gillian Lynne Theatre until March 2026. Tickets here.
Top image: My Neighbour Totoro company_ Behind the scenes 2025_Manuel Harlan (all images supplied)