My Neighbour Totoro, which previously had its world premiere at West End's Barbican Theatre in 2022, will return to the Barbican for a strictly limited run from November 21 to March 23, 2024.

Based on the beloved 1988 Studio Ghibli film, My Neighbour Totoro took home the most wins of this year's Olivier Awards, with six wins, including Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, and Best Director for Phelim McDermott. 

Presented with executive producer Joe Hisaishi, the Royal Shakespeare Company production is a coming-of-age adventure story following sisters Satsuki and Mei, played by Ami Okumura Jones and Mei Mac in the premiere production, who move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their ill mother. Mei explores the new area, meeting magical creature and the ancient protector Totoro in the work's fantasy world setting.

The original company included Haruka Abe as Yasuko, Nino Furuhata as Kanta, Susan Momoko Hingley as Miss Hara, Haruka Kuroda as Nurse Emiko, Kanako Nakano as Tsukiko, Michael Phong Le as Hiroshi, Dai Tabuchi as Tatsuo, and Jacqueline Tate as Granny, who all additionally served as puppeteers. Completing the cast of puppeteers was Li-Leng Au, Boaz Chad, Andrew Futaishi, Zachary Hing, Yojiro Ichikawa, Arina Ii, Marian Lee, Matthew Leonhart, Aki Nakagawa, Tobi Poster-Su, Si Rawlinson, and Shaofan Wilson. It is unclear which cast members, if any, will return for the encore engagement.

Tom Morton-Smith pens the adaptation, which features music from Hisaishi, who serves as composer in addition to executive producer. Phelim McDermott directs the production which features production design by Tom Pye, costumes by Kimie Nakano, lighting by Jessica Hung Han Yun, movement by You-Ri Yamanaka, puppetry by Basil Twist, music by Hisaishi, orchestration by Will Stuart, and sound design by Tony Gayle.

For more information, visit Barbican.org.uk.