My Neighbour Totoro, now running at the Barbican is the return of the award-winning adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s anime masterpiece. A feast of music, puppetry and fine-acting, Totoro transports audiences into a magical, gentle fantasy world.
Totoro is a true fusion of styles, making all of them stronger. The puppeteers, dressed in black in true kabuki tradition, are all skilled dancers and their choreographed movement enhances and extends their puppetry. Scenes from the film which seemed impossible to recreate on stage leave the audience gasping at the almost improbable imaginative staging.
Hayao Miyazaki prescient insistence that Joe Hisaishi be involved in the production is proved wise. Hisaishi‘s music transports the audience to the Japanese world of Ghibli. Tucking away singer Ai Nonomiya and the orchestra into the rear stage forest adds to their sylphlike magic.
The cast is strong with Mei Mac, in particular, standing out. Her ability to present both the movement and expressions of a pre-schooler is remarkable. (and in sharp contrast to her recent darker adult role in Untitled F**k Miss Saigon).
Totoro is a long production, especially the first half, but I did not hear a mumble of disruption from the audience which included many very excited youngsters. All of us were too absorbed to notice the time passing.
Have others seen My Neighbour Totoro? What were your thoughts?
Red Bus Londinium Life 
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