Families have a little longer to step into the magical world of Studio Ghibli as the multi-award-winning stage production of My Neighbour Totoro has announced a new closing date.
The hugely popular production from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), in collaboration with Nippon TV and Improbable, will now run at London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre until 3 January 2027.
Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s much-loved 1988 animated film, My Neighbour Totoro brings the story of sisters Satsuki and Mei to the stage, complete with spectacular puppetry, live music and a host of magical creatures.
A magical adventure for families
When their mother becomes ill, sisters Satsuki and Mei move with their father to a house in the countryside so they can be closer to her while she recovers.
As the girls explore their new surroundings, Mei discovers mysterious creatures living in the forest, including the enormous and gentle Totoro. What follows is a magical adventure filled with spirits, sprites and the wonders of nature.
The stage production combines spectacular puppetry with Joe Hisaishi’s iconic music from the original film, creating a theatrical experience that brings the world of My Neighbour Totoro to life in a very different way.
Special performances for children with additional needs
One of the things we particularly like about the production is that there are assisted performances, making it possible for more families to enjoy the show.
These include:
Signed performance: Sunday 11 October 2026 at 2pm
Relaxed performance: Sunday 8 November 2026 at 2pm
Audio-described performance: Saturday 5 December 2026 at 2pm
Captioned performance: Sunday 6 December 2026 at 2pm
The relaxed performance may be particularly helpful for families with children who may find a traditional theatre environment challenging, while the signed, audio-described and captioned performances provide additional ways for audiences to experience the production.
When is My Neighbour Totoro on?
My Neighbour Totoro is now playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane, London, with performances continuing until 3 January 2027.
There are evening performances from Tuesday to Saturday, with matinee performances on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. There are also additional performances during the October half term and over the Christmas and New Year period.
For families who have been meaning to see My Neighbour Totoro but haven’t got around to it yet, the extended run gives you another chance to experience this magical production.
Booking: totoroshow.com
Gillian Lynne Theatre
166 Drury Lane
London
WC2B 5PW
Box office: 020 7087 7750
Parents News recommends checking the theatre’s website for the latest performance times, ticket availability and accessibility information before travelling.
