This March, the London stage production of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro opens in the West End! This return to the heart of London’s theatre scene brings with it a new star, as well as celebrated returning actors.Taking the lead as Mei will be Victoria Chen, making her RSC debut. Chen has appeared in productions around the world, ranging from the U.S. to Singapore to Iceland.Returning from previous stagings will be:
Satsuki: Ami Okumura Jones
Tatsuo/Kazego Puppeteer: Dai Tabuchi
The Singer (Kaze no Koe): Ai Ninomiya
Matthew Leonheart (Sifu) will lead the Kazego Puppetry Ensemble as its Principal Puppeteer.
Tom Morton-Smith’s stage adaptation of the original Studio Ghibli film is directed by Phelim McDermott. Tom Pye serves as production designer and Basil Twist is in charge of puppetry design and direction. Composer Will Stuart adapted Joe Hisaishi’s original score.My Neighbor Totoro has won six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards. Its 2022 Barbican run shattered box office records for single-day ticket sales, beating out the previous record holder: the 2015 production of Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch.The production will run at London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre from March 8 through November 2.
Source: Variety