After a year’s break due to work, school and life in general, we’ve caught the Catbus back to the ABC Dad site with a My Neighbour Totoro London theatre review!
If you’re a Ghibli fan and wondering how a beloved animated film built on quiet moments and gentle magic would translate to the stage, then wonder no more! Turns out, it translates beautifully.
Date Visited: 20th September 2026.
Location: The Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PW.
Getting There: We travelled by train into Charing Cross, followed by a short 10 minute walk to the theatre. You can also bus or tube it there, with Temple, Covent Garden and Holborn being the available Underground stations depending on the line you’re travelling on.
Cost: Tiered pricing depending on where you want to sit. We chose the Sunday matinee performance in the Stalls, row L towards the left-middle of the theatre using the Acorn Performance offer on the show’s website, at £40 per ticket.
What is My Neighbour Totoro all about?
If you’ve never had the pleasure of watching the animated film, then you’re in for a treat. The story follows sisters Satsuki and Mei as they move to the countryside while their mum recovers in hospital. While exploring their new home, they stumble into a world of soot sprites, forest spirits, and one very large, very fluffy guardian: Totoro. The stage version stays very close to the film, but the puppetry, live orchestra and singing elevates everything. It’s an easy to follow, family-friendly plot with buckets full of childhood imagination. If your kids prefer gentle storytelling over loud slapstick, then this is right up their street. See my other review of The Play That Goes Wrong if you prefer genuine, laugh-out-loud slapstick.
What did we think of it?
From the start, My Neighbour Totoro show is a visual treat. The puppetry is genuinely amazing, almost to the point we were questioning if it was a projection or AI. As expected, Totoro’s entrance received a full‑audience cheer, while the Catbus is pure chaotic joy. The set design feels like a storybook unfolding in front of you, with clever transitions, lighting and music that make the whole thing feel like a dream.
When it comes to the human characters, Mei is the standout, bringing real childhood energy to the stage. The orchestra adds emotional weight to every moment, especially for anyone who grew up with Joe Hisaishi’s music playing in the background while studying or trying to fall asleep at night.
There are some comedic moments spread throughout the show, but it’s not a laugh‑a‑minute. We’re still amazed by how they were able to recreate the story on stage and how talented the puppeteers all are.
It’s a perfect family outing, especially if your kids love imaginative worlds or you’re a Ghibli fan yourself. Younger ones will be captivated; old farts like me will get a warm-fuzzy feeling of nostalgia. You’ll be humming the theme tune all the way back home. But be quick, the current run of performances is due to end 3rd January 2027. To save being disappointed, be sure to catch Totoro before he catches the Catbus back to the camphor tree.
Image credit: My Neighbour Totoro – totoroshow.com
Top tips:
- Plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the theatre so lots to choose from, even for the fussiest of eaters. We had an Italian lunch at Cicchetti before the show.
- The Gillian Lynne Theatre is more modern than most West End theatres. The seating is more raked with plenty of legroom. Try to select a more central viewing position if possible as you’ll have unrestricted views of all the puppetry.
- If you do arrive early, especially for the matinee sessions, there’s a miniature figurines shops next to it called Element Games. Proper way to get your geek up before the show! I wish I arrived earlier to take advantage of it more.
If you’re looking for other visits to the theatre, Cara and I have also been to Matilda and Frozen. If you have any recommendations on what to watch next, please leave a comment below.
