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My Neighbour Totoro: Book Tickets Now

My Neighbour Totoro

Highlights

Immerse yourself in a magical tale featuring fantastical creatures and endless adventures.

Enjoy an acclaimed theatrical interpretation celebrated with multiple Olivier Awards.

Marvel at the stunning stage designs and expertly crafted puppets by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

Step into a world of breathtaking wonder as the Royal Shakespeare Company’s record-breaking, six-Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro comes to life at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Experience Studio Ghibli’s animated masterpiece transformed through awe-inspiring, large-scale puppetry and a beautiful live score by booking your West End tickets today.

Good to Know About My Neighbour Totoro

The production features a standard family-friendly running time: The total performance duration is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, which includes one 20-minute intermission.

The magical adventure is designed for older children and families: The show is officially recommended for audience members aged six and above, and children under the age of four will strictly not be admitted into the theatre.

Younger theatregoers must be supervised by an adult at all times: Any child aged 15 or under must hold a valid ticket and be seated directly next to an adult aged 18 or older throughout the entire visit.

Every single audience member must occupy their own space unassisted: To comply with safety regulations, children must be able to sit in their own individual seat completely unassisted without sitting on a parent’s lap.

The staging utilizes a variety of atmospheric special effects: The performance features live music, loud sound effects, theatrical pyrotechnics, smoke, and stage haze.

The production elements explore sensitive family dynamics: The story features prominent narrative themes involving an ill mother who is recovering in a rural hospital.

The cast and staging elements extend into the seating area: Audiences should expect spectacular, large-scale puppets to occasionally move through and interact within the main auditorium seating space.

About My Neighbour Totoro

Adapted by Tom Morton-Smith and directed by Phelim McDermott, My Neighbour Totoro is an utterly spectacular, six-Olivier Award-winning stage play that magically brings Studio Ghibli's beloved 1988 animated masterpiece to life. The enchanting coming-of-age story follows two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who relocate to a curious house in the 1950s Japanese countryside with their father to be closer to their mother, who is recovering in a rural hospital. As the young girls explore their new, unfamiliar surroundings, their childhood imaginations unlock a hidden fantasy world populated by mystical soot sprites, a mischievous flying Catbus, and a giant, gentle forest protector named Totoro.

Presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company and original film composer Joe Hisaishi, this breathtaking production blends a beautiful live band performance with awe-inspiring, monumental puppetry designed by Basil Twist and the Jim Henson Creature Shop, delivering a profoundly moving celebration of nature, family, and the boundless wonder of childhood.

How to Get to Gillian Lynne Theatre?

Gillian Lynne Theatre
166 Drury Lane (Corner of Parker Street), London, WC2B 5PW

The Gillian Lynne Theatre is a striking, modern West End venue ideally situated on a prominent corner where Drury Lane meets Parker Street in Covent Garden. It stands embedded within the city's premier cultural and entertainment hub, positioning theatregoers directly adjacent to the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Royal Opera House, and an endless array of bustling pubs, independent boutiques, and premium pre-theatre dining spots.

Directions

By Underground
By Bus
By Car

By Underground

Both Holborn and Covent Garden stations serve as the closest tube stops, each located a convenient five-minute walk from the venue.
Visitors exiting Holborn station can head down Kingsway and turn right onto Parker Street to spot the theatre, while those exiting Covent Garden can simply turn right down Long Acre and take a left onto Drury Lane.

By Bus

The theatre is exceptionally well-linked by central London bus transit, with a multitude of daytime and night routes stopping in the immediate area.

Major stops along High Holborn and Kingsway are located less than a three-minute walk away from the theatre's main doors, ensuring straightforward public transport from all directions.

By Car

Driving directly to the venue is strongly discouraged due to restricted road layouts, dense pedestrian zones, and a complete lack of public street parking.

The theater sits entirely within London's Congestion Charge zone, but those who must drive can utilize the NCP underground car park located directly next to the theatre or the 24-hour Q-Park Chinatown facility on Newport Place, which offers a 50% discount when validated inside by the theatre ushers.

Gillian Lynne Theatre - Facilities and Accessibility

The Gillian Lynne Theatre is a highly unique, modern West End venue that features excellent audience amenities distributed across its two main seating tiers, which are seamlessly connected by a spacious public elevator. Unlike older, historic playhouses, this structure boasts a highly innovative auditorium layout where the expansive Stalls level is actually subterranean and accessed by heading down from the main street-level foyer.

Well-stocked concession bars and merchandise hubs are located on both the Stalls and Circle floors, offering official show programs, exclusive Studio Ghibli souvenirs, plush toys, snacks, and a full menu of hot, cold, and alcoholic drinks. Large, modern restroom blocks are also conveniently located on both levels, providing excellent capacity that helps minimize waiting times during the 20-minute interval.
For patrons with specific mobility or accessibility needs, the venue offers a completely step-free, flat-level entrance directly from Parker Street leading into the main foyer. From there, the public passenger lift provides smooth access down to the Stalls level, where all the designated wheelchair spaces and companion seats are located alongside a fully accessible, unisex companion restroom.
Access guests are highly encouraged to contact the theatre's dedicated booking team in advance to secure these specialized seats and to arrange for tailored staff assistance upon arrival.
Additionally, the auditorium is fully equipped with a modern infrared audio enhancement system, allowing guests with hearing impairments to listen to amplified show audio or audio description by borrowing a lightweight headset or a neck loop from the front-of-house team.

Interesting Facts About My Neighbour Totoro

The record-breaking stage production made history during its original run by shattering the Barbican Centre’s single-day box office ticket sales record previously held by Benedict Cumberbatch's Hamlet.

The show completely dominated the 2023 Laurence Olivier Awards, winning a spectacular six trophies including Best Director and Best New Play.

Legendary Studio Ghibli filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki gave his personal blessing for the stage play on the strict condition that original movie composer Joe Hisaishi was directly involved.

To capture the specific "anime-style" movements of young children authentically, the production intentionally cast adult actors to play the roles of sisters Satsuki and Mei.

The massive, highly unique puppets were engineered using a collaboration between puppetry master Basil Twist and the world-famous Jim Henson's Creature Shop in Los Angeles.

The creative team invented an entirely new performance style called "Kazego" or "wind spirits," where visible puppeteers dressed in dark blue costumes mimic the energy of animation.

To honor the show’s environmental themes, the production designer completely rejected plastic materials, crafting the stage instead from real wood treated with a traditional Japanese charring technique.

The show marks the historic first time a major global stage adaptation of this scale has been produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company since Les Misérables in 1985.

My Neighbour Totoro - Highlights in Pictures

FAQs about My Neighbour Totoro at Gillian Lynne Theatre

What is the plot of the stage adaptation?

The story follows two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the 1950s Japanese countryside with their father and discover a magical fantasy world filled with friendly woodland spirits, soot sprites, and a giant protector named Totoro.

How long is a performance of the show?

The total running time for the production is approximately two hours and 30 minutes, which includes one 20-minute intermission.

What is the recommended age to attend the performance?

The magical adventure is officially recommended for audiences aged six and above, and children under the age of four will strictly not be admitted into the auditorium.

Can young children sit on a parent's lap during the show?

No, to comply with strict safety regulations, every child must be able to sit completely unassisted in their own individual designated theater seat.

Do teenagers require an adult companion inside the venue?

Yes, any young theatregoers aged 15 or under must hold a valid ticket and be seated directly next to a supervising adult aged 18 or older throughout the performance.

What kinds of theatrical special effects are used on stage?

The live production features a vibrant musical score accompanied by loud sound effects, theatrical pyrotechnics, smoke, and stage haze.

Does the performance touch upon any sensitive subject matter?

Yes, the narrative explores sensitive family dynamics, particularly focusing on the sisters' mother who is currently recovering from an illness in a rural hospital.

Do the puppets ever come out into the auditorium?

Yes, audience members should expect the production's spectacular, large-scale creatures to occasionally move through and interact directly within the main seating aisles.

Is the Gillian Lynne Theatre accessible for guests with mobility needs?

Yes, the venue features a completely step-free entrance on Parker Street and a public passenger elevator that connects the main foyer directly down to the subterranean Stalls level.

Where is the designated wheelchair seating located?

All specialized wheelchair spaces and companion seats are situated on the Stalls level, which also features a fully accessible, unisex companion restroom close by.

What are the nearest London Underground stations to the theatre?

Both Holborn and Covent Garden stations serve as the closest tube stops, and each is located a convenient five-minute walk away from the theatre's entrance.

Where can I park my vehicle if I choose to drive?

Driving is highly discouraged due to central traffic zones, but patrons can utilize the NCP car park right next to the theatre or the 24-hour Q-Park Chinatown facility to receive a 50% discount validated by theatre ushers.