‘My Neighbor Totoro’ Extends London West End Run, Unveils New Imagery

The Royal Shakespeare Company‘s multi-award-winning stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli‘s beloved animated classic “My Neighbor Totoro” will continue its London engagement at the Gillian Lynne Theatre through Aug. 30, 2026, the producers have revealed.

Executive producer Joe Hisaishi and the RSC, in collaboration with Nippon TV and Improbable, also released new images to mark the extension announcement.

Adapted by Tom Morton-Smith from Hayao Miyazaki’s celebrated 1988 animated feature film, the production is directed by Improbable Co-Founder Phelim McDermott. The show has won six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards since its October 2022 global premiere at the Barbican, where it broke box office records for most tickets sold in a single day. Following critical and audience acclaim, the production returned to the Barbican for a limited run in autumn 2023 before closing in March 2024.

The cast features Victoria Chen as Mei, Ami Okumura Jones as her older sister Satsuki, Dai Tabuchi as Tatsuo, Jacqueline Tate as Granny, and Ai Ninomiya as the Singer.

The production features design by Tom Pye, puppetry design and direction by Basil Twist, costumes by Kimie Nakano, lighting by Jessica Hung Han Yun, and movement by You-Ri Yamanaka. Joe Hisaishi’s iconic score is performed live in a new orchestration by Will Stuart, with sound design by Tony Gayle.

“‘My Neighbor Totoro’ is a story of kindness, courage and the power of the imagination,” said RSC co-artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey. “Our audiences get to meet the magical creatures of the forest through extraordinary storytelling, dazzling puppetry and beautiful songs. Watching the joy on people’s faces when they meet Catbus, Chu, Sho and of course Totoro, is a delight to behold, and we can’t wait to welcome more people to the show at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.”

Kenichi Yoda of Nippon TV and Studio Ghibli added: “We are truly thrilled that ‘My Neighbor Totoro’s’ journey in London is set to enter its third year. It is our heartfelt wish that you will share this story with your loved ones — your family, friends, or partner. It’s a show that reminds you to cherish the people you love even more on your way home.”