Spirited Away stage adaptation to open in London in 2024 – dates and tickets

A stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away is to open in London next year.

The production will make its European premiere at the London Coliseum, running from 30 April 2024 to 20 July 2024.

The film by legendary animator and director Hayao Miyazaki has been re-imagined for the stage by Toho Theatrical Department and Olivier and Tony Award-winning director John Caird (Les Misérables).

Following a sell-out tour of Japan in 2022, the original Japanese cast including Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi, who play Chihiro, will reprise their roles for the limited London season.

The production will be presented in the original Japanese, with English captions.

Miyazaki’s masterpiece is brought beautifully to life with a live orchestra playing the magnificent film score by Joe Hisaishi arranged by Brad Haak (Mary Poppins), dazzling set design by Jon Bausor (Bat Out of Hell), wildly imaginative puppets designed by Toby Olié (Pinocchio: National Theatre), choreography by Shigehiro Ide (NODA MAP Series), and lavish costumes by Sachiko Nakahara. TOHO Co Ltd presents, co-produced with PW Productions Ltd.

A masterpiece of storytelling and stunning visuals Spirited Away tells the enchanting tale of Chihiro who while travelling to a new home with her family, stumbles into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba.

When her parents are turned into pigs and she is put to work in a magical bathhouse, Chihiro must use her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents, and return to the normal world.

Tickets went on general sale on Thursday, 7 September 2023.

Book Spirited Away tickets here »

Director John Caird said: I am proud and delighted to present the original Japanese stage production of SPIRITED AWAY at the Coliseum Theatre next year. We had a wonderful time creating the show in 2022 and I’m so happy now to be spiriting away a British audience into Hayao Miyazaki’s magical world. A world of gods and frogs, dragons and sorcerers, giant-sized babies and bouncing heads, spider-armed boilermen, no-faced loners and a young girl’s valiant quest for courage, identity and love.”

Toshio Suzuki, Producer of Studio Ghibli, added: “The day we first met John Caird, Hayao Miyazaki and I thought he was the perfect director for the production –– that was the beginning of this project. It was thanks to the hard work of John, the cast, and all those involved that the premiere production received such high acclaim. I wish to express my deepest respect to all involved in the creation of this monumental piece of theatre. I really look forward to SPIRITED AWAY being enjoyed by audiences in London.”