Last night (Tuesday 18 October), Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) held the official opening night for the global stage premiere of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican in London.
The company celebrated at the Barbican’s Conservatory, where they were joined by the creative team alongside VIP guests. The evening was catered by Searcys, with Totoro mochi provided by Ai No Mochi bakery and a sake tasting bar provided by Japan House London in collaboration with the Sake Samurai Association, with support from Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS).
VIP guests included; Mira Al-Momani, Claire Benedict, Tracie Bennett, Jim Broadbent, Simon Callow, Miso Extra, Caleb Frempong, Aimee Gillingwater, Jordan Grant, Kerry Godliman, Katy Hill, Rob Howell, Rebecca Humphries, Jessica Hynes, Jason Merrells, Naoko Mori, Olivia Pezzente, Daniel Portman, Mark Quartley, Mia Regan, Jon Richardson, Magnus Ronning, Claudia Winkleman and Gabby Wong.
Ami Okumura Jones and Mei Mac, who play iconic sisters Satsuki and Mei respectively, were dressed for the post show celebration by Spanish Luxury House LOEWE (@loewe) the Headline Sponsor of My Neighbour Totoro, whose connection with Studio Ghibli began in 2021 with the creation of a capsule collection inspired by the original animated film.
On Friday 14 October, the RSC welcomed a special visit from Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi, alongside colleagues from Nippon TV. Joe Hisaishi greeted the company of My Neighbour Totoro on stage after the performance, as well as the creative and production teams.
On Saturday 15 October, the RSC hosted an intimate pre-show drinks reception in the Fountain Room at the Barbican where they were joined by VIP guests including His Excellency Hajime Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan to the UK, and Madame Hayashi, President of Studio Ghibli Mr. Koji Hoshino and Studio Ghibli Director of Finance Mr. Noriyoshi Tamagawa, RSC Chair Shriti Vadera, RSC Executive Producer Griselda Yorke, RSC Acting Artistic Director Erica Whyman and RSC Executive Director Catherine Mallyon with colleagues from collaborators Improbable and Nippon TV. They were also joined by our Headline sponsor LOEWE and Lead Production supporter Miranda Curtis.
Performed on the Barbican’s iconic stage, My Neighbour Totoro will play a 15-week season to Saturday 21 January 2023.
The company comprises; Haruka Abe (Yasuko/ Puppeteer), Li-Leng Au (Puppeteer), Boaz Chad (Puppeteer), Nino Furuhata (Kanta/ Puppeteer), Andrew Futaishi (Puppeteer), Zachary Hing (Puppeteer), Susan Momoko Hingley (Miss Hara/ Puppeteer), Yojiro Ichikawa (Puppeteer), Arina Ii (Puppeteer), Haruka Kuroda (Nurse Emiko/ Puppeteer), Marian Lee (Puppeteer), Matthew Leonhart (Puppeteer), Mei Mac (Mei), Aki Nakagawa (Puppeteer), Kanako Nakano (Tsukiko/ Puppeteer), Ai Ninomiya (Singer), Ami Okumura Jones (Satsuki), Michael Phong Le (Hiroshi/ Puppeteer), Tobi Poster-Su (Puppeteer), Si Rawlinson (Puppeteer), Dai Tabuchi (Tatsuo/ Puppeteer), Jacqueline Tate (Granny/ Puppeteer) and Shaofan Wilson (Puppeteer).
The celebrated 1988 animated feature film by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) is brought to the stage by its original composer Joe Hisaishi in a landmark new adaptation by the RSC (Matilda The Musical) written by playwright Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer) in collaboration with Improbable and Nippon TV.
Directed by Phelim McDermott with production design by Tom Pye, costumes by Kimie Nakano, lighting by Jessica Hung Han Yun, and movement by You-Ri Yamanaka, the production features puppetry created by Basil Twist and music from Joe Hisaishi’s iconic score in a new orchestration by Will Stuart, performed live with sound design by Tony Gayle. Associate Director is Ailin Conant. Artwork for the stage adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro includes a hand drawn title by Toshio Suzuki, Producer for Studio Ghibli, who was involved in the planning and production of the original animated film.
This enchanting coming-of-age story explores the magical fantasy world of childhood and the transformative power of imagination, as it follows one extraordinary summer in the lives of sisters Satsuki and Mei.
In order to be closer to their mother while she recovers from an illness in a rural convalescent hospital, their father moves the family to the countryside. As the girls explore their beautiful new surroundings, Mei encounters magical creatures and the ancient protector of the forest she calls Totoro.
Although Satsuki doesn’t believe her little sister at first, they are soon both swept up in exciting adventures with their new neighbours – transported to a long-forgotten realm of spirits, sprites, and natural wonder.
The production is supported by Spanish Luxury House LOEWE, the Headline Sponsor of My Neighbour Totoro, whose connection with Studio Ghibli began in 2021 with the creation of a capsule collection inspired by the original animated film.
Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC