When Studio Ghibli/RSC stage team-up My Neighbour Totoro debuted at the Barbican in the autumn of 2022 it was to a storm of hype and delirious reviews: a phenomenon was born. At its zenith, the publicity images audaciously held back so much as a whisker of the gigantic puppets that represented benign, inscrutable forest spirit Totoro and the bizarre living transport the Catbus, their absence a promise of how impressive they were (they’re bloody spectacular).
A transfer to the huge Gillian Lynne Theatre followed two lengthy sell-out Barbican runs, but all things must come to an end and the fact they actually started using images of Totoro on the ads a year or so ago was at least a harbinger of the end.
There is also the matter of a limited number of theatres of size in London and a large amount of shows – many of them big-scale Broadway musicals – jostling for place.
So Totoro will be boarding the Catbus out of London: but not until next year, meaning if you haven’t seen it yet or would like to see it again, you have plenty of time to do so.
Because demand has peaked, it’s relatively easy to get hold of good tickets, especially if you book far enough in advance. Let’s be clear: it remains a popular show, and they’re not going to start giving tickets away. But it’s worth checking out theatre sales and the like for its possible inclusion, and the cheapest tickets are less likely to be sold out. Regardless, it‘s a magical, once-in-a-lifetime show and Ghibli fan or no, if you like magic and joy and loveable puppets the size of houses, don’t miss it.
My Neighbour Totoro is at the Gillian Lynne Theatre until Jan 20 2027. Buy tickets here.
The best new London theatre shows to book for in 2026.
Plus: Ian McKellen returns to the stage in the Yard’s stunning new season.
And London’s newest theatre will open this summer with two huge musicals.
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