My Neighbour Totoro Review at Gillian Lynne Theatre London

It’s not every day that a much-loved animated film makes the leap from screen to stage and becomes a theatrical hit in its own right. But that’s exactly what happened with My Neighbour Totoro. Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 Studio Ghibli classic, the stage production first opened at London’s Barbican in 2022 and it’s success led to a West End run at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Rather than trying to simply recreate the film, the production finds a theatrical language of its own, showing just how much can be done on a stage with a little imagination, a lot of craftsmanship and some very clever puppetry. And that’s a big part of the fun of My Neighbour Totoro, you get to sit in a theatre and watch something that feels like it shouldn’t be possible, happen right in front of you.

When sisters Satsuki and Mei move to the countryside with their father, they discover that their new home is surrounded by something far more magical than they could have imagined. As they explore the woods nearby, they encounter mysterious spirits, including the enormous, gentle and utterly unforgettable Totoro. What follows is a magical adventure filled with friendship, family, curiosity and a little bit of mischief, as the sisters discover that sometimes the most extraordinary things are hiding right on your doorstep.

In the Gillian Lynne run, Victoria Chen plays Mei to perfection, using her vocals and physicality to convincingly capture the innocence, energy and spirit of the young four-year-old. Mei’s fearlessness and openness shine through, making her a character we could all learn from. An extraordinary performance from a hugely talented actor. Helen Chong was absolutely delightful as Mei’s older sister, Satsuki. Bringing a real vulnerability to the role, Chong perfectly captured Satsuki’s position between childhood and growing up. No longer quite a little girl, but still young enough to play, explore and believe. A genuinely touching performance.

As the girls’ father, Tatsuo, Dai Tabuchi was utterly charming and instantly likeable. His gentle humour and comic timing landed beautifully, while Jacqueline Tate brought a lovely mix of warmth and quirkiness to Granny Ogaki. As her grandson Kanta, Steven Nguyen gives an adorable performance. Again making the audience believe he is a young, awkward child, Nguyen brings a lovely innocence and natural charm to the role. Ai Ninomiya as Kaze No Koe/Singer delivered beautiful vocals throughout, seamlessness blending Japanese and English lyrics of favourites “Hey Let’s Go” and the now famous “Totoro, Totoro” theme in My Neighbour Toroto.

Throughout the show, the Kazego Puppetry Ensemble brings the story’s enchanting creatures to life through Basil Twist’s extraordinary puppets. From the mischievous, fluttering Soot Sprites and bright blue, wide-eyed Chu Totoro to the enormous, glowing Catbus and Totoro himself, each has a personality of its own, seemingly leaping straight from the screen onto the stage. Combined with Jessica Hung Han Yun’s atmospheric lighting, the puppetry transforms the stage from the warmth of the family home to shadowy forests and dreamlike nightscapes. It is a world full of light, colour and movement that feels wonderfully alive.

My Neighbour Totoro is the kind of show that reminds you why live theatre can be so special. It’s beautiful, funny, moving and full of those little moments of magic that stay with you long after the curtain falls. With the West End run coming to an end in January, don’t leave it too late and get your tickets while you can to experience Totoro’s world of wonder and discovery.

My Neighbour Totoro plays at Gillian Lynne Theatre until 3 January 2027.

Where I Sat

For My Neighbour Totoro, I sat in Stalls Row I44. This was a lovely seat as you get extra leg room, you’re eye level with the stage and have a clear unobstructed view.

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