The Royal Shakespeare Company Announces World Premiere of 'My Neighbour Totoro' Stage Adaptation

Stage adaptations of animated films are nothing new. Ever since The Lion King musical hit broadway way back in 1997, it's been an honour given to many other movies. It's not just Disney either. Several of the films of Studio Ghibli have also been adapted, both in Japan and overseas. Following past adaptations of Princess Mononoke and Kiki's Delivery Service by UK-based theatre companies, it's been announced another of their works is headed for the stage.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced the world premiere of an adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbour Totoro. The production will be staged at London's Barbican Theatre for a strictly limited run from October 8 2022 to January 21, 2023.

The adaptation comes courtesy of playwright Tom Morton-Smith, with music from the film's original composer Joe Hisaishi and it's directed by Philem McDermott  The play has been developed in association with Ghibli itself so you know that they're doing this right. Advanced puppetry will be used to create Totoro himself and the other fantastical critters from the film. 

The global premiere of Studio Ghibli's My Neighbour Totoro comes to London's Barbican stage this autumn.

The celebrated 1988 animated feature film by Hayao Miyazaki will be brought to the stage by its original composer Joe Hisaishi in a landmark new adaption by the RSC written by playwright Tom Morton-Smith.

This enchanting coming-of-age story explores the magical fantasy world of childhood and the transformative power of imagination, as it follows one extraordinary summer in the lives of sisters Satsuki and Mei.

Theatre doesn't get more prestigious than the RSC so this is a pretty major honour for the film to get. It's made the announcement big news, even meriting a mention on the BBC's news. Head over to the official RSC website to sign up to be notified of the latest updates including casting news and ticket availability.