Royal Shakespeare Company’s version of celebrated Studio Ghibli movie will be first opening ‘of this scale’ in nearly 40 years
The Royal Shakespeare Company is to stage an adaptation of the celebrated Japanese animation feature film, My Neighbour Totoro, in a production it promises will be ambitious and spectacular.
The 1988 film became a global success after Netflix acquired the rights to 21 movies from Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation giant, in 2020. The world premiere of the stage adaptation, directed by Phelim McDermott and featuring puppets created by Basil Twist, will have a limited run of 15 weeks at the Barbican from October until January.
Erica Whyman, the RSC’s acting artistic director, said: “Adapting this deeply loved magical story for the stage is the next chapter in our longstanding commitment to making spectacular and accessible productions that see the world through the eyes of children.” She expected the show would attract “a wide range of theatre audiences as well as loyal fans of the original film”.
The stage version of My Neighbour Totoro will be the RSC’s first opening “of this scale” since Les Miserables in 1985, said an RSC spokesperson. Les Mis has won multiple awards, as has the RSC’s production of Matilda the Musical, its adaptation of the popular Roald Dahl book.
RSC to stage adaptation of animated fantasy film My Neighbour Totoro - The Guardian
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