My Neighbour Totoro cast announced for stage show in London

Casting has been announced for the return of My Neighbour Totoro in London this year.

Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 animated film, My Neighbour Totoro will begin performances at Barbican Centre on 21 November 2023 with tickets on sale now.

My Neighbour Totoro follows the journey of sisters Satsuki and Mei, who relocate with their father from Tokyo to an old countryside house. There, they uncover a realm of enchanting creatures, including the colossal forest spirit Totoro, living nearby.

Meet the My Neighbour Totoro cast

Mei Mac will reprise her Olivier and WhatsonStage 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.

Joining them are 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).

My Neighbour Totoro will run at London’s Barbican Centre from 21 November 2023 and currently booking through to 23 March 2024.

Directed by Improbable’s Phelim McDermott, the production has 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.