The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has unveiled the complete cast for the London West End transfer of its acclaimed “My Neighbor Totoro” production.
The coming-of-age story, a stage adaptation of Miyazaki Hayao‘s beloved 1988 Studio Ghibli film, follows one summer in the lives of sisters Satsuki and Mei. In order to be closer to their mother while she recovers from an illness in a rural convalescent hospital, their father moves the family to the countryside. Mei encounters magical creatures and the ancient protector of the forest she calls Totoro and the sisters are soon both swept up in adventures.
Victoria Chen will make her RSC debut in the role of Mei. Chen brings extensive international experience, having worked across Singapore, the U.K., USA, China, Australia and Iceland. Her recent credits include “The Night Before Christmas” at Polka Theatre and a child-friendly adaptation of “As You Like It” at Orange Tree. She previously starred in the award-nominated sketch comedy “Fat Kids are Harder to Kidnap” from 2013-2022.
Ami Okumura Jones returns as Satsuki, following her acclaimed performances in the show’s previous runs at the West End and Barbican. Her diverse portfolio includes roles in “Scandaltown” at Lyric Hammersmith and “Wendy & Peter Pan” at Leeds Playhouse, along with screen appearances in Netflix’s “The Choice” and “Kitti Katz.”
Dai Tabuchi reprises his role as Tatsuo/Kazego Puppeteer. His extensive theatre credits include “Usagi Yojimbo” at Southwark Playhouse and “The Over Coat” at the Lyric Hammersmith. Television audiences may recognize him from appearances in “Industry” (HBO/BBC), “Invasion” (Apple TV+), and “The Crown” (Netflix).
The production’s distinctive Kazego Puppetry Ensemble is led by Matthew Leonhart as Principal Puppeteer. Leonhart, whose voice work includes the critically acclaimed game “Sifu” and numerous cartoons, has performed in productions such as “Invisible Cities” with 59 Productions/Rambert.
Ai Ninomiya returns as the Singer (Kaze no Koe), bringing her experience from major productions including the Japan tours of “Les Misérables” and “Chess the Musical.”
The stage adaptation, which has collected six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards, comes from playwright Tom Morton-Smith and is directed by Phelim McDermott. The production made history at the Barbican by breaking box office records for single-day ticket sales during its initial run in 2022.
The creative team includes Tom Pye (production design), Basil Twist (puppetry design and direction), and Will Stuart, who has created new orchestrations of Joe Hisaishi’s original score. The show features live musical performances, with sound design by Tony Gayle.
Executive producer Joe Hisaishi and the RSC have partnered with Nippon TV and Improbable for this transfer, following successful runs at the Barbican Centre in 2022-23 and 2023-24. The production’s artwork features a specially created hand-drawn title by Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki.
“My Neighbor Totoro” is set to run at London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre from March 8 through Nov. 2.
