My Neighbour Totoro

A global premiere as Joe Hisaishi and the RSC bring Studio Ghibli’s enchanting classic coming-of-age film to the stage in a landmark new adaptation in collaboration with Improbable and Nippon TV.

Exploring the magical fantasy world of childhood and the transformative power of imagination, My Neighbour Totoro follows one extraordinary summer in the lives of sisters Satsuki and Mei as they are swept up in exciting adventures with their new neighbours – transported to a long-forgotten realm of spirits, sprites, and natural wonder.

The celebrated 1988 animated feature film by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) will be brought to the stage by its original composer Joe Hisaishi in this landmark new adaptation written by playwright Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer).

Directed by Phelim McDermott with production design by Tom Pye, costume design by Kimie Nakano, and lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun, this ground-breaking production will feature puppetry created by Basil Twist and music from Joe Hisaishi’s iconic score performed live.

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Theatre and Dance Autumn 2022

Post-show talk, Fri 2 Dec
Free to same-day ticket holders

Age guidance: 6+ This production is not suitable for children under 4 years of age, including babes in arms. Younger children and babes in arms are welcome at our relaxed performances.

Running time: TBC

Presented by the Barbican. The Royal Shakespeare Company is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Miranda Curtis CMG – Lead Production Supporter of My Neighbour Totoro

The work of the RSC Literary Department is generously supported by the Drue and H.J. Heinz II Charitable Trust

Standard £15-125

Wheelchair spaces and free companion seats may now be booked online.

Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.

Booking a wheelchair space: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected.

Booking essential companion tickets: Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket.

Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats: Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.

Families

Up to 2 half price tickets for under 18s with every full price paying adult.

Not available for Friday or Saturday performances (and please see further date exclusions below). Not available on the top two price bands. Capped by performance. All discounts subject to availability and aren’t valid during October half term or Christmas and New Year weeks. Discounted tickets cannot be booked in conjunction with any other discount or offer.

Groups of 10+

£49.50 for Monday to Thursday performances. Not available on Premium Seats.

Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.

UK Schools, Colleges and Universities (Groups of 10+)

£25 tickets. Valid for Monday to Thursday performances. Not available on Premium or A price seats. Overseas schools, colleges and universities to pay 10+ group rate.

Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.

All discounts are subject to availability, at the discretion of the RSC/Barbican Box Office and can be withdrawn at any time. All discounts subject to availability and aren’t valid during October half term or Christmas and New Year weeks. Discounted tickets cannot be booked in conjunction with any other discount or offer.

Half term: Monday 24 October 2022 to Friday 28 October 2022
Christmas holiday: Monday 19 December 2022 to Monday 2 January 2023

*Excludes £3 booking fee

Discover

An image of some water at the Barbican Centre with pink flowers and lily pads overtaking.

Watch: My Neighbour Totoro trailer

Take a look at the brand new trailer for the Royal Shakespeare Company's upcoming global premiere stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro.

Watch now

Watch: Meet the creatives

Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi and members of the creative team discuss the process behind this landmark adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s celebrated 1988 animated feature film.

Accessible Performances

29 Oct 2.00pm, 18 Jan 7.00pm
Audio Described

15 Dec 2.00pm, 7 Jan 2.00pm
BSL-integrated

29 Oct 2.00pm, 12 Nov 2.00pm, 8 Dec 2.00pm, 18 Jan 7.00pm
Captioned

15 Dec 2.00pm, 7 Jan 2.00pm
Hand-held captioned

15 Dec 2.00pm, 7 Jan 2.00pm
Relaxed

29 Oct 12 – 12.30pm, 18 Jan 5 – 5.30pm
Touch Tour

There are a range of Audio Described, BSL-integrated, Captioned and Relaxed performances across the run. Find out more about Accessible Events at the Barbican.

Press

‘Lavish new RSC stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s magical animated film‘

Time Out

‘My Neighbour Totoro breaks Barbican box office record‘

What's On Stage

‘Muppet power! RSC uses puppet legends for My Neighbour Totoro extravaganza‘

The Guardian

Relaxed performances

A Relaxed performance is ideal for those who would benefit from a more informal approach to noise and movement in the auditorium or would feel more at ease knowing they could enter and exit freely. There will be a relaxed performance on Thu15 Dec, 2.00pm and Sat 7 Jan, 2.00pm.

For this production:

- The house will be opened early to allow you more time to find your seats.

- The Front of House team are briefed on providing a more informal service and relaxing the standards in regard to audience behaviour during the performance.

- Latecomer and re-admittance points will be relaxed to allow people to leave and re-enter the auditorium more freely.

- The house lights will remain slightly raised to during the performance to ensure your safety if you need to move about.

- Auditorium doors will be kept open during the performance to assist you in entering and exiting the theatre during the performance.

- The performers are briefed about Relaxed performances and know that you may need to move around and make noise.

- A quiet chill out space is provided with comfortable seating.

- This production is suitable for babes in arms

- The performance has not been sensory adapted.

Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss further before making a booking.

Contact the Theatre team at [email protected].