My Neighbour Totoro takes the West End by storm – our review

Totoro returns: a Ghibli classic reimagined 

My Neighbour Totoro is no stranger to London audiences, winning a record six Olivier Awards during its first appearance on the London stage at the Barbican in 2023. The Barbican version stole hearts with its enchanting mix of puppetry, music and nostalgia.

So, naturally, I was buzzing to see how this new West End take would compare. I couldn’t help but wonder how the forest and its whimsical spirits would come to life on stage, especially the fluffy, 12-legged, yellow Catbus. Would it really fly across the stage? 

Walking up to the Gillian Lynne Theatre, all decked out in bright green, I spotted Totoro sketched across the building, grinning at me from a distance. That alone sent my excitement levels through the roof. Naturally, I stopped to snap far too many photos with my own little Totoro, brought all the way back from Japan. Some might say I’m a kid at heart, others might call me a full-blown Ghibli geek, and honestly, I’m 100% both! 

Inside, don’t miss the little soot sprites hiding in plain sight. Head to the bar and get your own Totoro-themed green slushie cups, cheaper than the official merch, but just as adorable.

Top tip: If you’re looking for the perfect snap, don’t miss a chance to recreate one of the film’s iconic scenes – when Mei and Satsuki wait for the bus under torrential rain! 

Totoro, from screen to stage 

As we waited for the curtain to rise, My Neighbour Totoro flickered to life with its title displayed in what looked like hand-stitched white letters on a blue backdrop. Then, the letters gave a little wiggle, seemingly warming up for the show. I was not the only one chuckling in the crowd. We were already being pulled into Totoro’s magical world, and the play hadn’t even started yet. 

Most of us probably knew the story already: two sisters moving to the countryside with their dad while their mum is in hospital, swapping the chaos of Tokyo for a quiet Japanese village. It’s a tale that mixes grief and innocence, curiosity and magic. As the girls settle into their new life, they discover the forest is home to a whole other world – one filled with quirky creatures and, of course, Totoro. 

It’s a tale where innocence and wonder come together, as the girls embark on a journey filled with wonder. Studio Ghibli’s biggest fans won’t be disappointed as the stage adaptation does an excellent job at capturing the essence of the film in the most beautiful way.  

Into the world of Mei and Satsuki

Victoria Chen and Ami Okumura Jones are perfectly cast as Mei and Satsuki, capturing the bubbling energy, tantrums and wide-eyed wonder of childhood. From squealing over garden sprouts to shrieking in fear of soot sprites, their performances are funny, touching and oh-so relatable for the children in the audience. The two actresses throw themselves into these roles with the energy of two young girls trying to make sense of a world that's suddenly shifted beneath their feet. 

Their mum is in hospital. Their dad is doing his best at juggling parenting, work and the chaos that comes with a four-year-old who just can’t sit still. Mei is bursting with never-ending energy and thirsty for a great adventure, while Satsuki tries her best to be the grown-up she thinks she’s supposed to be. 

I couldn’t stop smiling at both actresses' performances, capturing those childhood moments so perfectly, from the pure joy of seeing a giant, cuddly Totoro for the first time to the fearless thrill of chasing forest spirits, and the confusion of having to face grown-up emotions they don’t fully understand. I sat there beaming like a Cheshire cat, completely wrapped up in their little world. 

The puppetry: Ghibli magic on stage 

Puppeteers are truly the stars of the show, dressed head to toe in black beekeeper suits, blending into the background. They are only here to bring the spotlight on magical creatures. From the moment the black soot sprites appear, causing mayhem as they swarm every shadowy corner of the sisters’ new home – you can feel the magic setting in. Mei and Satsuki’s reactions are priceless, squirming as the sprites seem to pop up in every nook of their not-so-empty house. 

Gradually the puppeteers become an integral part of the show, guiding every enchanting creature on stage: from the rabbit-like spirits and baby-size Totoro to the full lineup of Totoros of all shapes and sizes, not to forget random chickens snooping around. 

Speaking of Totoro – what an entrance. We first meet the big fluffball as Mei stumbles upon him sleeping peacefully in the forest. He takes up the whole stage, lying there like a giant fuzzy mountain, snoring away without a care in the world. You could feel the collective gasp ripple through the audience, a proper moment of wonder. Mei’s reaction is exactly what you’d expect from a four-year-old. She climbs up onto his belly, bouncing up and down with giddy excitement, her bubbly words syncing perfectly with Totoro’s deep rumbles. 

Puppetry is a vital element of the show, reviving Hayao Miyazaki's beloved 1988 anime film. The puppeteers, all dressed in black, are inspired by Japan’s traditional Shinto theatre. Meant to blend in like chameleons, they’re always present but never distracting, slipping into the shadows so that Ghibli’s enchanting forest spirits can take centre stage. 

Joe Hisaishi’s original music lives on 

Let’s be honest, My Neighbour Totoro just wouldn’t be the same without Joe Hisaishi’s world-famous score. And I’m here to report that the stage version does not disappoint. The music remains a key part of the story, with the orchestra perched up in tree-like structures on each side of the stage. 

Singer Ai Ninomiya, accompanied by a live band, fills the air with melodies that transport you straight into Totoro’s world. Some scenes don’t need any dialogue at all as the music is all you need, drawing you even further into Totoro’s world. 

The much-awaited scene where Mei hops aboard the mesmerising 12-legged yellow Catbus is taken to a whole new level, going faster than ever across the stage. With the jazzy “Cat Bus” song playing, you won’t be able to stop tapping your feet. And then there’s the closing song, “My Neighbour Totoro”, which had me singing out loud for days, belting out loud TOTORO TOTORO! 

Final verdict  

Needless to say, I was absolutely blown away by My Neighbour Totoro’s stage production – from the storytelling and acting to the staging, including the mind-blowing puppetry. This is next-level adaptation work. I remember being delighted by the Barbican production, but the creative and production team have taken it even further this time. Going to see My Neighbour Totoro for a second time, I wasn’t expecting much to change from the first production. But this time around, I can honestly say I was smitten way beyond that stage, mumbling along with the enchanting musical score, and jumping with excitement for hours after seeing what I believe is a masterpiece. 

Make the most of your visit 

• Arrive early and soak it all in: Get to the Gillian Lynne Theatre with time to spare. Remember the show starts at 7pm, a little earlier than most West End performances. 
• Time to make some memories: Snap a selfie in front of the theatre’s unmissable giant Totoro and recreate the iconic rain scene with Mei and Satsuki waiting for the bus. 
• Grab a quick bite before the show: Pop into Kung Fu Mama for a speedy, flavour-packed dinner. Think juicy chicken thighs in ginger and sesame, or noodles drenched in a rich portobello mushroom sauce. 
• Got more time? Head to nearby Seven Dials and treat yourself at Flesh & Buns, where the Japanese izakaya vibe meets excellence. The soft bao buns are a must, take your pick from miso grilled aubergine, salmon teriyaki, confit duck or wasabi mushrooms. 
• Other options worth a try: Check out Fatt Pundit for Indo-Chinese fusion done right. The pre-theatre menu includes crispy okra salt ’n’ pepper, Bombay chilli mock chicken and Szechuan honey duck. Or head to Din Tai Fung, Covent Garden’s go-to for dumplings galore, from pillowy steamed buns to slurpy Xiao Long Bao.