Photos: My Neighbour Totoro returns to the Barbican Theatre – new pictures

New production photos are out for the return of smash-hit RSC show My Neighbour Totoro to the Barbican Theatre in London.

The talented cast includes Mei Mac, who reprises her Olivier Award-nominated performance as Mei Kusakabe, with Ami Okumura Jones returning as older sister Satsuki, Dai Tabuchi in his role as Tatsuo, and Jacqueline Tate as Granny.

Also returning as Kazego Puppetry ensemble are: Boaz Chad, Jasmine Chiu, Andrew Futaishi (Hiroshi), Matthew Leonhart, Arina Ii (Miss Hara), Yojiro Ichikawa, Si Rawlinson, Mark Takeshi Ota and Shaofan Wilson; and the cast also includes Jessie Baek, Jasmine Bayes, Ka Long Kelvin Chan (Kanta), Elizabeth Chu, Anna Kato, Heather Lai, Amanda Maud (Nurse Emiko), Yuki Nitta, Bright Ong, Emily Piggford (Yasuko), Daniel Phung, Gun Suen and Naomi Yang (Tsukiko).

Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar winning animated film has been adapted for the stage by Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer), and broke box office records last year at the Barbican, plus won six Olivier Awards, five WhatsOnStage Awards and the Critic’s Circle Awards for Best Design. It also scored some very impressive reviews from the critics.

My Neighbour Totoro is directed by Improbable’s Phelim McDermott, with production design by Tom Pye, costume design by Kimie Nakano, lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun, and movement by You-Ri Yamanaka. Puppetry design and direction is by Basil Twist, created with puppetry associate Mervyn Millar’s Significant Object and the Jim Henson Creature Shop.

The production features music from Joe Hisaishi’s iconic score in a new orchestration by Will Stuart, performed by live musicians including singer, Ai Ninomiya, with sound design by Tony Gayle. Video design is by Finn Ross and Andrea Scott. Casting Director is Hannah Miller CDG. Associate Director is Ailin Conant.

The show is produced by Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Shakespeare Company in collaboration with Improbable and Nippon TV. A

My Neighbour Totoro is now playing at the Barbican theatre for a strictly limited run to 23 March 2024.

Book tickets to My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican Theatre in London