My Neighbour Totoro
next weekend in London
Available Performances
Studio Ghibli's gentle fantasy becomes a large-scale stage adventure about childhood, grief and forest spirits.
⭐4.9
Emilie Van Camp ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
WAI TING FONG ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kim Reilly ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Andy Glazier ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SIMON ROBERTS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eliana Bayona ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
S.white ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Michael Pledger ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Luis Garcia Moreno ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Yes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nikita Gale ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
William Voller ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Peter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tracey Kraft ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Martin Law ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Patricia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Adriana ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jordan Seedall ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Things to Know Before You Go
Updated: Tue 14 Jul, 06:00 London time
Is there a Saturday matinee for My Neighbour Totoro next weekend?
Yes — Sat 25 Jul 14:00 (tickets available).
What time does the My Neighbour Totoro Sunday show start next weekend?
Sun 26 Jul 14:00
What's the cheapest My Neighbour Totoro performance next weekend?
From £40 (Fri & Sat).
How is the Catbus actually staged — and does it live up to the film?
It does, and the staging is the answer to it. The Catbus is a full-size puppet operated by visible handlers in the Bunraku tradition — eight, sometimes nine, performers move it together as one organism, and the moment it appears the auditorium audibly sighs. The other puppets (Totoro himself, the soot sprites, the smaller Totoros) follow the same principle: handlers visible, illusion intact. It's the production's signature, and the reason the show won six Oliviers.
For very small Ghibli fans — what age really works?
Six the recommended floor, and a sensible one. The Gillian Lynne is a large auditorium and Totoro contains a sustained storyline about a hospitalised mother, plus some genuinely loud sound effects in the storm scenes; very small children sometimes find the second hour heavier than the first. Children who have already watched the film cope better — they know what's coming and the staging delivers the moments they're waiting for.
Which seats actually catch the puppets best?
Centre stalls from rows G to N. The puppetry plays through the front half of the stage and into the auditorium itself (some scenes bring Totoro down the centre aisle), and the dress circle reads the Bunraku geometry beautifully while losing the closeness to a six-foot rabbit shoulder-barging past. Avoid the very front stalls, which sit too low to read the larger puppets cleanly; row C-and-back is the sweet line.
Is My Neighbour Totoro suitable for children?
Yes. My Neighbour Totoro is a family-friendly production and is generally recommended for older children. Very young children may find some moments a little emotional or intense, but the overall tone is gentle and reassuring. Every audience member will need their own ticket.
Do I need to know the Studio Ghibli film to enjoy the show?
Not at all. Knowing the film will add an extra layer of nostalgia, but the stage adaptation tells the story clearly in its own right. The characters, themes and visual storytelling are easy to follow even if this is your first encounter with Totoro.
How long does the performance of My Neighbour Totoro last?
The running time is around two and a half hours including an interval. It is a comfortable length for most families, with the story structured in a way that keeps both adults and children engaged.
Is the show very scary or upsetting?
The production includes some moments of tension and big theatrical effects, but it remains fundamentally warm and hopeful. Themes of illness and change are handled with sensitivity, and the presence of the forest spirits keeps the tone magical rather than frightening.
Where is My Neighbour Totoro performed in London?
My Neighbour Totoro is staged at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End. The venue is easy to reach by public transport and is within walking distance of several Underground stations and central London landmarks.
What should I wear to see My Neighbour Totoro?
There is no formal dress code. Most theatregoers opt for smart-casual clothing that feels comfortable for sitting during the performance. If you are heading straight from a day of sightseeing, you will not feel out of place.
About this show
A landmark stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli's beloved film, My Neighbour Totoro brings Hayao Miyazaki's gentle, magical world to life on the London stage. At the Gillian Lynne Theatre, towering puppets, detailed design and live music combine to recreate the forests, fields and creatures that have captivated audiences for decades. An Olivier Award-winning celebration of childhood, family and imagination, this production follows sisters Satsuki and Mei as they move to the countryside, befriend forest spirits and navigate a summer of change and uncertainty. It is tender, funny and quietly moving, offering an evening that feels as comforting as a favourite storybook while still full of surprise.
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