My Neighbour Totoro: Stage show transfers to London’s West End

Award-winning stage show My Neighbour Totoro is to transfer to London’s West End in 2025.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production has already enjoyed two successful runs at the Barbican theatre.

It will now open at the Gillian Lynne theatre in March next year for a 34-week run.

Tom Morton Smith, who adapted the 1988 film for the stage, said he was “thrilled that even more people will get to experience the magic and wonder that this production conjures”.

The show has previously won six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards.

It is based on Studio Ghibli’s 1988 Japanese animated fantasy film, which was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

The story follows two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, whose father moves them their from home in a city to the countryside after their mother is taken ill.

Intimidated by her new surroundings, Mei goes exploring and encounters magical creatures and the ancient protector of the forest she calls Totoro.

She and her sister are soon swept up in an adventure with their new mystical neighbours.

The Guardian’s awarded, external the “dazzling” show five stars, describing it as “enchanting and “emotionally impactful”.

In a four-star review, the Telegraph’s Dominic Cavendish noted, external that “what fans loved about the film has been beautifully served in this stage version”.

However, the Evening Standard’s Nick Curtis was less keen,, external awarding it three stars.

“This adaptation is easier to admire than to love,” he said. “The story could use more jeopardy, more darkness and more of the monsters.”

When tickets for the show’s first Barbican run went on sale in April 2022, it broke the theatre’s box office record for most tickets sold in a single day.

Its second 23-week run at the Barbican concluded last month.

My Neighbour Totoro will open in the West End on 8 March and close on 2 November 2025.

Director Phelim McDermott said it was “truly an honour to share the joy of this production with thousands more in London’s West End”.