My Neighbour Totoro London reviews – what did the critics make of the new production?

Reviews have dropped for the world premiere stage adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro in London – what did the critics make of it?

Adapted from the celebrated 1988 animated feature film by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away), My Neighbour Totoro will be brought to the stage by its original composer Joe Hisaishi in a landmark new adaptation by the RSC (Matilda The Musical) written by playwright Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer) in collaboration with Improbable and Nippon TV.

The new West End production opened at the Barbican on 8 October 2022 and is currently booking to January 2023.

My Neighbour Totoro London reviews

The Guardian – 5/5
“The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production has astonishing puppetry, magical music and huge emotional impact” – Read the full review

LondonTheatre – 5/5
“Tom Morton-Smith’s adaptation strikes a perfect balance of honouring Hayao Miyazaki’s creation and seeking a new theatrical language, brilliantly realised in Phelim McDermott’s exquisite production” – Read the full review

The Telegraph – 4/5
“It’s a pleasure to report that what fans loved about the film has been beautifully served in this stage version, scripted by Tom Morton-Smith and directed by Phelim McDermott. It boasts music by Joe Hisaishi that embellishes his film soundtrack with songs soothing and stirring, without straying towards being an overt Musical.” – Read the full review

The Times – 4/5
“If you’re an admirer of Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli movies, you’re almost certain to feel the same about Tom Morton-Smith’s puppet-driven adaptation, which adds flesh to a pastoral storyline that is so slender it could be described as Teletubbies go zen.” – Read the full review

WhatsOnStage- 4/5
“Director Phelim McDermott throws all of his characteristic inventiveness at Tom Morton-Smith’s faithful adaptation, and the result feels like a loving homage to the film in both its embrace of visual quirkiness and wilful ignorance of narrative convention” – Read the full review

Evening Standard – 3/5
“Here, the RSC is clearly hoping for another commercial success to match the Tim Minchin/Dennis Kelly adaptation of Matilda. For all the ravishing imagery and the collective endeavour involved, this show isn’t quirky or adult-friendly enough for that.” – Read the full review

My Neighbour Totoro plays The Barbican, London currently booking through to 21 January 2023.

Book My Neighbour Totoro London tickets here »

The standard performance schedule is Monday-Saturday at 7PM with 2:30PM matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays.