Japanese composer and musician Joe Hisaishi has teamed up with the Royal Shakespeare Company to bring to life the enchanting tale of two young sisters who meet a friendly woodland spirit in 1950s rural Japan. Playwright Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer) has scripted the story for the stage.
It follows Satsuki and Mei, who have moved to a new house with their university professor father in order to be close to the hospital where their mother is recovering from a long-term illness. It’s a lot for the young girls to process, but here to sweep them up in a summer of adventures is Totoro, a big, bulbous spirit with a roaring voice but a gentle disposition.
Like all titles in the Studio Ghibli canon, My Neighbour Totoro appeals to audiences of all ages: on the surface, its fantasy tale will transfix young viewers, while its subtler layers exploring the youthful power of imagination, especially in times of emotional turmoil, will move older audience members, provoking feelings of nostalgia.
Bringing to life the wonders of the tale is a tip-top creative team comprising director Phelim McDermott (Akhnaten), designer Tom Pye (Aida), lighting lead Jessica Hung Han Yun (Fairview) and New York based puppeteer Basil Twist, who was last seen at the Barbican with his 2015 show Dogugaeshi.
Tickets to My Neighbour Totoro are now available (and likely to sell out!). Click here to book.
| What | My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre |
| Where | Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, E2CY 8DS | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Barbican (underground) |
| When |
08 Oct 22 – 21 Jan 23, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Price | £10 - £125 |
| Website | Click here for more information and to book |
