London Coliseum – The Theatre Playbook

Tickets are set to go on sale for Spirited Away, which opens at the London Coliseum next year.

Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, created by legendary animator and director Hayao Miyazaki, has been re-imagined for the stage by Toho Theatrical Department and Olivier and Tony Award-winning director John Caird (Les Misérables).

It tells the enchanting tale of Chihiro who while traveling to a new home with her family, stumbles into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. When her parents are turned into pigs and she is put to work in a magical bathhouse, Chihiro must use her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents, and return to the normal world.

Following a sell-out tour of Japan in 2022, the original Japanese cast including Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi, who play Chihiro, will perform this spectacular production for a strictly limited London season, marking the production’s European premiere.

The show will be presented in the original Japanese, with English captions, and brought to life with a live orchestra playing the film score by Joe Hisaishi, arranged by Brad Haak (Mary Poppins), set design by Jon Bausor (Bat Out of Hell), imaginative puppets designed by Toby Olié (Pinocchio), choreography by Shigehiro Ide and costumes by Sachiko Nakahara.

It is adapted by John Caird, co-adapted by Maoko Imai, associate music supervision, orchestrations and ableton programming by Conor Keelan, lighting design by Jiro Katsushiba, sound design by Koichi Yamamoto, costume design by Sachiko Nakahara, hair and make-up design by Hiroaki Miyauchi and projection design by Satoshi Kuriyama.

The stage manager is Takashi Hoji, assistant to the director is Maoko Imai, associate director is Makoto Nagai, co-producer is Iain Gillie and the producer is Haruka Ogi.

From Toho Co and PW Productions, Spirited Away opens at the London Coliseum on April 30, 2024 and runs until July 20, 2024.

A 48-hour priority booking period will begin for those who have signed up at www.spiritedawayuk.com from 10am on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, followed by a general on sale from Thursday, September 7 2023 at 10am, with tickets available from £30.

The Mongol Khan, which tells an epic historical story through music, theatre, dance and puppetry, has unveiled the creative team for its UK shows ahead of its London Coliseum run this November.

Working alongside Mongolian director Hero Baatar are playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker (Our Country’s Good), who will adapt a new translation by historian and Mongolian history expert John Man.

Nick Barnes (Life of Pi, The Lorax) will design and create new puppets specifically for the UK production including a fire-breathing dragon. Mike Roberston (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory) joins the team to redesign the lighting for the vast Coliseum stage and David Gregory (King John) is the sound designer.

Mongolia 2,000 years ago. A brutal succession battle threatens the very stability of the Empire. As the great Khan struggles to maintain his supremacy, a plot hatches that will forever alter the balance of power.

This epic production, featuring more than 70 performers, has run for more than 100 performances in Mongolia. Based on historical events, the show explores Mongolian culture and history through music, dance, dialogue and puppetry, with elaborate sets and costumes, all inspired by traditional nomadic culture and tradition.

The Mongol Khan was written in 1998 by renowned Mongolian writer and poet Lkhagvasuren Bavuu and was revived in April 2022 at the Mongolian State Academic Theatre of Drama, directed by Baatar.

The production has taken inspiration from historical events, archaeological findings, traditional nomadic dances, and the music of the ancient Hun culture of Central Asia from the Hunnu Empire period, and is produced by Hero Entertainment, Wild Yak Productions and Maktub Productions.

Arriving to mark the 60th annivesary of Anglo-Mongolian relations, performances will run from November 17-December 3.

Tickets: www.themongolkhan.com