Plays

My Neighbour Totoro Tickets

Name: My Neighbour Totoro
Start: 2025-08-03T14:00:00
End: 2025-08-03T16:40:00
Location: Gillian Lynne Theatre

My Neighbour Totoro stage performance at Barbican Theatre, London.

Duration

2 hr 40 min

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

The Olivier Award-winning adaptation of the Studio Ghibli film is back at Gillian Lynne Theatre for the holiday season!

4.8/5

(151)

Andrew

Jul 2025

Verified booking

Absolutely incredible. The live music, mind-boggling set design, acting, and of course fanciful story of Totoro moved me profoundly. Everything from the finest details (dropping a 'u' into Neighbor right after the music started) to the grandest spectacles (let's just say the Cat Bus was next-level) created waves of tingles down my spine and set tears welling. It's 2+ hours of exactly the kind of empathy, joy, and wonder the world needs these days.

Agnès

Jun 2025

Verified booking

This show was breathtaking, both in terms of the excellent actors and the sublime sets, which evolve throughout the show. The animated characters are also beautifully staged. With the musicians and vocals adding to the ensemble, the moment is magical, and everyone has a great time, suspended in time! I can't recommend this show highly enough.

Jennifer

Jul 2025

Verified booking

It was the special effects that really made this show. The puppets in particular were fantastic and the crew worked really hard to bring the effects to life. The scene when the plants began to grow was very spectacular and moving. The music and singing added beautifully to the atmosphere.

Based on the award-winning, cult-classic Studio Ghibli film of the same name, this fresh groundbreaking adaptation comes from the Royal Shakespeare Company which has previously brought us Matilda the Musical with Joe Hisaishi, the film's original composer.

My Neighbour Totoro, which made a splash in the West End in 2023, is set to return to London's Gillian Lynne Theatre for a strictly limited season starting on March 8th, 2025. Touching on the fantasy world of childhood and the incredible power of imagination, this tale has warmed the audience of film watchers for decades. The charm is all set to be revived in this play with music from Joe Hisaishi’s iconic original score, along with new orchestration by Will Stuart. With its five WhatsOnStage Awards and an incredible six Olivier Award nominations, My Neighbour Totoro is widely acknowledged as a mesmerizing and contemporary masterpiece, showcasing theater at its most enchanting. Tickets for My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican Theatre are selling like hotcakes, book yours now to watch the heart-touching tale brought to life on stage!

The Story

The play follows one remarkable summer in the lives of two sisters Satsuki and Mei. Their father has brought them to the countryside to be close to their mother, who is recuperating from an illness at a local rural hospital. The sisters take great joy in exploring the beauty of their new home. On one such exploration, Mei crosses paths with an ancient protector of the forest she calls Totoro. Skeptical at first, Satsuki soon discovers the truth and before long the sisters are swept up in a magical realm of spirits, sprites, and new wonders.

My Neighbour Totoro: Look into the first performance images >

Great For

Fantasy Lovers | Play Enthusiasts | Drama Fans

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

How do we collect reviews?
4.8
151 ratings
5/5
135
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Guests from United States, Germany, Netherlands and over 30 countries have loved this experience
Teng
May, 2025Verified booking
5/5
This is the one of best theatre i have ever seen! It’s as if the movie has come to life, a scene recreated down to every detail.
Julia
Jul, 2025Verified booking
4/5
It's an unforgettable performance. People who love the Totoro movie would love this show. The crew and staff were also very nice. A great way to spend a night.
Chow
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Everything is phenomenal, the staging, live music performances,acting and most of all seeing Totoro roaring on stage is awesome experience which have to experience in person
Andrew
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Absolutely incredible. The live music, mind-boggling set design, acting, and of course fanciful story of Totoro moved me profoundly. Everything from the finest details (dropping a 'u' into Neighbor right after the music started) to the grandest spectacles (let's just say the Cat Bus was next-level) created waves of tingles down my spine and set tears welling. It's 2+ hours of exactly the kind of empathy, joy, and wonder the world needs these days.
Jennifer
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
It was the special effects that really made this show. The puppets in particular were fantastic and the crew worked really hard to bring the effects to life. The scene when the plants began to grow was very spectacular and moving. The music and singing added beautifully to the atmosphere.

Show Details

Genre: Play

Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Audience: Suitable for 6+

Opening Date: 8 March 2025

Closing Date: 2 Nov 2025

Theatre Name: Gillian Lynne

Theatre Facilities: Bar, cloakroom, restrooms, food and beverage allowance, gift shops, water fountain.

Dress Code: Smart casual

Cast and Creatives

Leading Roles

Mei Mac as Mei Kusakabe

Ami Okumura Jones as older sister Satsuki

Dai Tabuchi as Tatsuo

Jacqueline Tate as Granny

Writer

Tom Morton-Smith

Director

Phelim McDermott

Production design

Tom Pye

Music

Joe Hisaishi

Orchestration

Will Stuart

Additional Tips

Suggested age for this show is 6+, but younger guests are welcome. The show will be quite long, quite loud in parts, and possibly scary for some younger children at moments. Children need to occupy their own seats at all times throughout the performance. This production is not suitable for children under 4 years of age (including babes in arms).

Keep in mind, the theater is air-conditioned throughout the year and can get a bit chilly. Bring along a light jacket if needed.