My Neighbour Totoro
My Neighbour Totoro Trailer
A large, illuminated cat-like creature floats against a full moon backdrop, surrounded by dark trees.
The company of My Neighbour Totoro. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
A performer in a white shirt and blue skirt holds a bucket, surrounded by actors with chickens.
The company of My Neighbour Totoro. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
A scene from RSC's My Neighbour Totoro, featuring characters in vibrant costumes amidst a whimsical forest backdrop.
The company of My Neighbour Totoro. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
Two large, fluffy puppets, one blue and one white, stand on stage beside two performers in dark costumes.
The company of My Neighbour Totoro. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
Three characters interact on stage: one in an orange dress holding an apple, another in pink, and another in green.
The company of My Neighbour Totoro. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
Three characters stand together, looking surprised, in front of a large, stylised tree backdrop.
The company of My Neighbour Totoro. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
Three characters pose on a bicycle: a person in a pink dress, another in a grey vest, and another in a yellow dress.
The company of My Neighbour Totoro. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
A person in a yellow dress joyfully interacts with shadowy figures holding branches, against a dark stage backdrop.
The company of My Neighbour Totoro. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
A person in a yellow dress and another in beige stand together by a wooden house backdrop.
The company of My Neighbour Totoro. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
A blue vehicle carries two children and an adult, surrounded by green hills and a bright sky.
The company of My Neighbour Totoro. Photo by Manuel Harlan.

My Neighbour Totoro
Tickets From £18

Venue

Gillian Lynne Theatre

The winner of 6 Olivier Awards My Neighbour Totoro is now in its final booking period. You only have until 3 January 2027 to experience this staging of the Studio Ghibli classic, brought to life through large-scale puppetry and beloved songs from the film.

A story about sisters Satsuki and Mei, who discover a magical world of spirits, sprites and other mischievous creatures as they adjust to a new life in the Japanese countryside. Perhaps it’s all a dream… or perhaps they really are best friends with a giant, playful protector of the forest named… Totoro?

Featuring puppets by Basil Twist and Mervyn Millar, My Neighbour Totoro is presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi – in collaboration with Improbable and Nippon TV – and adapted by Tom Morton-Smith with direction from Phelim McDermott.

My Neighbour Totoro is about the life-changing power of imagination and the boundless wonders of nature. Hop aboard the Catbus for a delightful evening of unforgettable theatre before it leaves the UK for good!

#FindYourSpirit

Closing

03/01/2027

Running Time

2 hours and 30 minutes, including interval

Genre

Drama, Family, Plays

Age & Content

6+ | Children under the age of 4 will not be admitted into the theatre. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over, who must be seated with the child and accompany them throughout their visit. All persons entering the theatre, regardless of age, must have a valid ticket.

Please Note:
  • Content warnings: This production contains live music, some loud noises, some scenes are set in a hospital with a sick parent & some very large puppets. There are pyrotechnics, smoke, strobe lighting/flashing images & haze.

Cast:

Victoria Chen as

Mei / Kazego Puppeteer

Helen Chong as

Satsuki / Kazego Puppeteer

Dai Tabuchi as

Tatsuo / Tazego Puppeteer

Jacqueline Tate as

Granny Ogaki / Tazego Puppeteer

Ai Ninomiya as

Kaze No Koe / Singer

Phyllis Ho as

Yasuko / Kazego Puppeteer

Steven Nguyen as

Kanta / Kazego Puppeteer

Jamie Zubairi as

Hiroshi / Kazego Puppeteer

Natsumi Kuroda as

Tsukiko / Karzgo Puppeteer

Ronnie Lee, Wenshin Lee, Amber Lin, Sera Maehara & Bai Zhijin as

Swing / Kazego Puppeteer

Eero Chen Liu as

Kazego Principal Puppeteer

Kumiko Mendl as

Nurse Emiko / Kezego Puppeteer

Si Rawlinson as

Swing Kazego Puppeteer / Movement Captain

Gun Suen as

Kazego Principal Puppeteer / Puppetry Captain

Sango Tajima as

Miss Hara / Kazego Principal Puppeteer

Karen Barredo, Melisa Camba, Rachel Clare Chan, Jeffrey Chekai, Chui Yen, Victor Itang, Gabriel S. Janoras, Yui Minari, Michelle Miners & Richard P. Peralta as

Kazego Puppeteer

Creative:

Adapted by -

Tom Morton-Smith

Based on the feature animation by -

Hayao Miyazaki

Original Score -

Joe Hisaishi

Director -

Phelim McDermott

Production Designer -

Tom Pye

Puppetry Designer and Director -

Basil Twist

Created with puppetry associate -

Mervyn Millar’s Significant Object and the Jim Henson Creature Shop

Costume Designer -

Kimie Nakano

Lighting Designer -

Jessica Hung Han Yun

Orchestrator and Arranger -

Will Stuart

Sound Designer -

Tony Gayle

Movement by -

You-Ri Yamanaka

Video Designer -

Finn Ross and Andrea Scott

Dramaturg -

Pippa Hill

Casting Director -

Hannah Miller CDG

Executive Producer -

Griselda Yorke and Joe Hisaishi

Book My Neighbour Totoro Tickets

To book access tickets:

Sign Language Interpreted

British Sign Language

Sign Language Interpretation provided by Clare Edwards

11 October 2026

2:00pm

Relaxed Performance

Relaxed

8 November 2026

2:00pm

Audio Described Performance

Audio Described

Audio Description provided by VocalEyes

5 December 2026

2:00pm

(Touch Tour) 12:00

Captioned Performance

Captioned

Captioning provided by Stagetext

6 December 2026

2:00pm

Frequently asked questions

My Neighbour Totoro is playing at Gillian Lynne Theatre in London. Your ticket selection will show available performance dates and times, and you can book securely online via Official London Theatre. For the smoothest experience, pick a performance from the calendar and book early for popular dates.
My Neighbour Totoro is an enchanting coming-of-age story exploring 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.
The running time for My Neighbour Totoro is 2 hours and 30 minutes, including interval. Duration can occasionally vary slightly by performance, but this is the listed length for the production.
My Neighbour Totoro is recommended for ages 6+ | Children under the age of 4 will not be admitted into the theatre. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over, who must be seated with the child and accompany them throughout their visit. All persons entering the theatre, regardless of age, must have a valid ticket.. If you’re bringing younger theatregoers, it’s worth considering themes and attention span alongside the age guidance. Some venues also have their own admission policies, so it can help to double-check requirements before you travel.
My Neighbour Totoro opens on 20th March 2025 and is currently scheduled to run until 3rd January 2027. If you’re planning a trip or booking for a specific week, check the performance calendar for dates and availability, as popular performances can sell faster closer to the run.
Tickets for My Neighbour Totoro go on sale from 2nd May 2024. If you’re looking for the widest choice of seats and dates, booking early is usually best - especially for weekends and peak travel periods. Once on sale, you can select a performance and complete your booking online.
You can buy tickets for My Neighbour Totoro online through Official London Theatre. Choose your preferred performance in the calendar, select seats if available, and complete your purchase securely.
My Neighbour Totoro features a cast including Victoria Chen (Mei / Kazego Puppeteer), Helen Chong (Satsuki / Kazego Puppeteer), Dai Tabuchi (Tatsuo / Tazego Puppeteer), Jacqueline Tate (Granny Ogaki / Tazego Puppeteer), Ai Ninomiya (Kaze No Koe / Singer), Phyllis Ho (Yasuko / Kazego Puppeteer), Steven Nguyen (Kanta / Kazego Puppeteer), Jamie Zubairi (Hiroshi / Kazego Puppeteer), Natsumi Kuroda (Tsukiko / Karzgo Puppeteer), Ronnie Lee, Wenshin Lee, Amber Lin, Sera Maehara & Bai Zhijin (Swing / Kazego Puppeteer), Eero Chen Liu (Kazego Principal Puppeteer), Kumiko Mendl (Nurse Emiko / Kezego Puppeteer), Si Rawlinson (Swing Kazego Puppeteer / Movement Captain), Gun Suen (Kazego Principal Puppeteer / Puppetry Captain), Sango Tajima (Miss Hara / Kazego Principal Puppeteer), Karen Barredo, Melisa Camba, Rachel Clare Chan, Jeffrey Chekai, Chui Yen, Victor Itang, Gabriel S. Janoras, Yui Minari, Michelle Miners & Richard P. Peralta (Kazego Puppeteer). Casting can vary by date, so if you’re booking specifically to see a particular performer, it’s worth checking any casting notes for your chosen performance.
There isn’t a strict dress code for London theatre, so wear whatever you’ll feel comfortable and confident in. Most people go for smart casual - think jeans or trousers with a nice top, a casual dress, or a shirt and trainers. If you’re heading to an evening show, on a date, or celebrating something, you might fancy dressing up a bit more, but it’s completely optional.
Arriving at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time helps keep things smooth and stress-free, giving you plenty of time to collect tickets, go through security, and get settled in your seat before the performance begins.
Book Tickets from £18