Gillian Lynne Theatre
Upcoming Performances
Now Playing: My Neighbour Totoro
Studio Ghibli's gentle fantasy becomes a large-scale stage adventure about childhood, grief and forest spirits.
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What Visitors Say
The live show adaptation of a beloved animated classic offered a truly enchanting experience. Audiences were transported to a whimsical world filled with imagination and wonder. The production beautifully captured the heartwarming essence of the original story. It was a delightful performance that resonated with viewers of all ages. A magical evening that brought joy and a touch of nostalgia.
I was a bit skeptical when I first heard they were adapting Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro into a live stage show. The 1988 anime is basically pure childhood nostalgia, and I just couldn't picture how you could pull off a massive, fluffy forest spirit or a giant multi-legged Catbus in real life without it looking completely ridiculous. But wow, stepping into the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London, any doubts completely vanished. The production is a collaboration between the Royal Shakespeare Company and the film’s original composer, Joe Hisaishi. Fun fact: Hisaishi actually pitched the idea himself, but Hayao Miyazaki only gave it his blessing on the strict condition that Hisaishi personally oversaw it. Instead of making it a traditional musical where characters randomly burst into song, they kept the story grounded and let a live band hidden up in a painted tree canopy perform the iconic soundtrack. The puppetry is where it gets genuinely mind-blowing. They use an army of visible puppeteers dressed in black to move everything from tiny scuttling soot sprites to the massive, breathing Totoro himself. Because you can see the humans operating them, your brain kind of bridges the gap, making the whole thing feel like a living, breathing piece of art. When the Catbus actually "flew" across the stage, the entire audience collectively gasped. It honestly gives you that rare, fuzzy feeling of pure childhood wonder, and it’s easily one of the most creative things playing in the West End right now.
We watched My Neighbour Totoro after our Open Air Theatre play got cancelled and let me tell you... It was definitely a blessing in disguise! After being in the blistering heat in the morning, coming into an air conditioned theatre was a dream. The staff were helpful with refilling bottles and giving us ice, showing us our seats and directing us where to go. The play was phenomenal! I would highly recommend going, as the acting, puppeteering and sound system/orchestral backing was beautiful. The background and scene setting was immersive and overall it was probably the best play I'd ever seen (probably biased as I love the film)! The seats we had were great, and very cheap for our view. There were definitely no bad seats in the theatre!
The neighbor Toro was a very good play. There was a lot of excitement and the seats are set up really nicely. So everyone in the theater can see there were a lot of big action puppets, so be prepared to soak up the story. It is very comprehensive of what actually happens in the movie. So, if you've never seen it before, you should. And then you could also watch the movie to compare. We really liked the show and all of the actors. Enthusiasm, you can buy ice cream during the intermission. Highly recommend because it was very affordable to go during the weekdays.
Absolutely Amazing. My daughter and I loved it and it was a truly moving while funny, detailed and correctly portrayed as per the original story. 👏🏻👏🏻 The actors were brilliant, really funny and energetic, they passed their energy into the audience which set the mood throughout the entire show. 🥳👏🏻 Costumes were brilliant and I can't say anymore as don't want to spoil it for anyone else, you just HAVE TO GO...😁 Tickets were reasonably priced and the place was packed. We went to see Totoro, it was last minute while on a wkend away in London and didn't regret it in fact my daughter said it was better than Harry Potter which we did the same day. 😂🥳👍🏻⭐ Well done to everyone and we will definitely be making a special trip back from the west country again just to see another show... 🥳🥳 WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
About Gillian Lynne Theatre
Cats ran from 1981 to 2002, becoming the longest-running West End musical of its time.
Venue Tips
✨ Best For
Dance-heavy productions, big classic musicals, and fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Perfect for Covent Garden visitors, families and theatre lovers.
💺 Best Seats
Stalls central for full choreography and orchestra immersion. Dress Circle front rows for a wide panoramic view of large ensemble numbers.
⚠️ Seats to Avoid
Side Stalls close to the stage can limit views of choreography. Back Dress Circle may feel distant for detail in dance-heavy scenes.
Things to Know Before You Go
Which seats are worth prioritising at Gillian Lynne Theatre?
Stalls central for full choreography and orchestra immersion. Dress Circle front rows for a wide panoramic view of large ensemble numbers. For a safer booking, also note: Side Stalls close to the stage can limit views of choreography. Back Dress Circle may feel distant for detail in dance-heavy scenes. Use that as editorial guidance rather than a guarantee; always check the live seating plan and any seat notes before paying.
Is Gillian Lynne Theatre a good venue for seeing My Neighbour Totoro?
Yes, if you book with the production's scale in mind. My Neighbour Totoro is currently listed at Gillian Lynne Theatre, so choose seats that suit this staging rather than simply buying the cheapest available ticket. For a first visit, a central view is the least risky option.
What kind of night out does Gillian Lynne Theatre suit best?
Gillian Lynne Theatre works best for Dance-heavy productions, big classic musicals, and fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Perfect for Covent Garden visitors, families and theatre lovers. The right choice depends less on dress code and more on matching the room to the production: intimate plays reward proximity, while spectacle-led musicals usually benefit from a more centred overview.
What should I know about access before booking Gillian Lynne Theatre?
Check the venue's official access page or box office before booking wheelchair spaces, transfer seats, step-free routes, companion seats or assisted performances. London venues vary sharply by level, and the most comfortable choice is often a specific access seat rather than a general price band.
How early should I arrive at Gillian Lynne Theatre?
Aim to be at the doors around half an hour before the performance, and earlier if you need access support, cloakroom time, box-office collection or a quiet drink. For older West End buildings, late arrival can mean stairs, narrow foyers and a less relaxed start.
What is the easiest way to reach Gillian Lynne Theatre?
Holborn is the simplest station to check first. The venue address in our data is 166 Drury Lane. For weekend visits, check engineering works and leave a little extra time around the West End and major transport hubs.
Where is the Gillian Lynne Theatre located?
On Drury Lane, a short walk from Covent Garden and Holborn stations.
Which Tube stations are closest?
Covent Garden and Holborn (Piccadilly and Central lines). Tottenham Court Road is also nearby.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive 30 minutes before the performance to pass through security and enjoy bars and foyer.
Is there a dress code?
No formal dress code. Smart-casual is common for evening performances.
Is the theatre wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Accessible seating and staff assistance are available — book in advance.
Does the theatre have a bar?
Yes, bars serve drinks and snacks before the show and during the interval.
Can I take photos?
Photos are fine in the foyer, but photography and recording are not allowed during the performance.
🤓 Fun Facts
Cats premiered here in 1981 and ran for 21 years, becoming the longest-running musical in West End history at the time.
The music video for Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’ was filmed in the theatre in 1977, with a mini-concert for fans.
The theatre’s original venue was associated with Nell Gwynn in the 17th century.
It briefly served as a TV studio, hosting BBC Sports Personality of the Year and Eurovision selection shows.
The theatre was renamed in 2018 in honour of Dame Gillian Lynne, the choreographer of Cats — the first West End theatre named after a woman.
Nearby Places
Library and Museum of Freemasonry
2 min 👣
Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice
3 min 👣
Pushkin House
4 min 👣
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
4 min 👣
The Ship Tavern
4 min 👣
Cambridge Theatre
4 min 👣
London Transport Museum
5 min 👣
Novello Theatre
5 min 👣
Sir John Soane's Museum
5 min 👣
Duchess Theatre
5 min 👣
St Martins Theatre
6 min 👣Venue Location
Nearest Tube Stations
- Holborn Central, Piccadilly Zone 1 0.28 km
- Covent Garden Piccadilly Zone 1 0.29 km
- Tottenham Court Road Northern, Central Zone 1 0.55 km