A dazzling spectacle of childhood wonder: My Neighbour Totoro makes its UK debut

A gorgeous set, jaw-dropping puppetry and a score to evoke tears, My Neighbour Totoro smashes expectations as it marks its UK debut.

My Neighbour Totoro is based on the Studio Ghibli’s animated film of the same name. The story follows two sisters as they experience a summer of magical adventures and find themselves transported into a forgotten realm of spirits. The plot of the production is written effectively, allowing fans of the original animated feature to understand key references and embrace the nostalgia of the show; however, it also allows newcomers to the world of Totoro and makes them feel the same child-like wonder. The almost three hour show flies by, and audiences leave the auditorium in awe at the magic they’ve just witnessed.

The true star of this show is the puppets and the puppeteers. This production revolutionises puppetry, using puppets of all shapes and sizes in a multitude of different ways. The puppets themselves are extraordinary, especially the variety of Totoros used, but it is the people behind them that really make them shine and come to life. The show utilises every moment that it can and doesn’t try to hide the people behind the scenes. The puppeteers become characters themselves and hold a lot of humour within the show from being thrown on stage to play a different character to acting as hive-mind, spiritual guide.

The set is hugely impressive and the way it can transform to show the different worlds is insanely beautiful. This show breaks all the boundaries of what theatre can be and as a show that welcomes everyone, from young kids to the elderly, it is highly refreshing to have a production that can entertain and amaze everyone who watches it. It is a truly ground-breaking experience. A great touch is having the band on stage on platforms in the air, it adds to the immersive atmosphere and when the singer appears, it adds a nice variety to see her sing from various positions along with the band.

The score is also a standout of the show. The original composer of the movie, Joe Hisaishi, brings back his iconic score, with new orchestrations by Will Stuart. The music blends smoothly in with the plot, acting the same way as a film score to assist in creating atmosphere and express feeling. It heightens every moment from big reveals to set changes, it tells the tale as well as the performers. The music can either make a person cry or bring them nostalgic joy. The combination of Japanese and English lyrics works nicely to incorporate the culture of the production and make it understandable for a British audience.