My Neighbour Totoro has been on my list for a long time, and I finally found myself with a spare evening and took the plunge. The show originally opened at the Barbican Centre in October 2022, running until January 2023, breaking records for the Barbican’s one-day ticket sales even before it opened. Due to popular demand, it returned to the Barbican for another four months in November 2023 before finally transferring to its current home at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in March 2025. With so many opportunities to see it, I really had no excuse!

Based on the animated film of the same name, the story follows sisters Satsuki and Mei, who move to rural Japan to be closer to their mother while she recovers in hospital. In doing so, they discover a world full of magic, particularly Totoro and a host of forest creatures who offer protection and reassurance during uncertain times. The story is beautifully told, tender in moments and funny in others, but above all else, it is magical. It transports us into Satsuki and Mei’s world, making every stage moment feel utterly believable, from their bond to the wider community that surrounds them.

Mei, played by Victoria Chen, is utterly convincing as a four-year-old discovering the world, full of energy and big emotions that she hasn’t yet learned to place. Her older sister, Satsuki, is portrayed by Ami Okumura Jones, who perfectly balances a childlike wonder with the responsibility of caring for her younger sister in their mother’s absence. The entire cast also operate the puppetry on stage, and this is where the magic truly comes alive.

While I expected Totoro himself to be impressive, I didn’t anticipate the brilliance of the rest of the puppetry. From the chickens belonging to Satsuki’s young friend Kanta, to the susuwatari—or soot spirits—that inhabit the house when the sisters arrive, each is brought to life with incredible imagination and care. The larger-than-life puppets, such as the illuminated Nekobasu, or “Catbus,” are visually entertaining while serving a narrative purpose. And then there’s Totoro himself: enormous on stage, especially next to Mei, with a slow, grounded presence. Though his movements are never dramatic, subtle inhales, smiles, and shudders make him feel genuinely alive. The puppetry design and direction by Basil Twist is nothing short of outstanding.

The set, designed by Tom Pye, fully embraces the magic of the story, transforming the stage into a playground for both puppets and cast. The susuwatari clamber over a moon at the back of the stage, while the singer is often positioned on side platforms, quietly observing the action. At the same time, the set conveys a strong sense of place: the audience is left in no doubt that we are in rural Japan, from Mei running through fields of corn to their ramshackle new house, which shifts to reveal hidden spaces. The set works in brilliant harmony with lighting and sound to maximize the show’s sense of wonder.

The live band and singer provide the score, which enhances emotional intensity, particularly surrounding the sisters’ mother’s illness. The live music also creates a layered soundscape that helps the audience immerse themselves fully in this world, making even quiet moments feel vibrant and alive.

Not only is this show magical but its place in the West End and its commercial success is hugely important. The show is unapologetically Japanese and it centres a non-Western story without translating it to a western frame. The characters portrayed are never exoticized and instead are a family and a community portrayed on stage which can only improve representation.

Overall, My Neighbour Totoro is a masterclass in theatrical storytelling, blending exquisite puppetry, immersive set design, and a live musical score to transport audiences into a world where the ordinary and the magical coexist seamlessly. It’s a show that delights both the eyes and the heart, capturing the innocence, wonder, and quiet emotional depth of this story.

To book tickets to My Neighbour Totoro and find out more visit their website here.

If you like this review of My Neighbour Totoro you might also like my reviews of Hunger Games, Matilda and Wicked.