Spirited Away

London 2028 at the London Coliseum

Studio Ghibli's Oscar winning Spirited Away, created by the legendary animator and director Hayao Miyazaki, returns to the London Coliseum in 2028 as the final stop on a major world tour. The original Japanese stage production plays a limited West End season from March 2028, and the producers' announcement gives the London run as March to July 2028. Exact performance dates and times are to be announced by the venue.

This is a return visit. The production had its European premiere at the London Coliseum in 2024, where it played a 17 week season to more than 300,000 people. It went on to win Best New Play at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards and received four Olivier Award nominations. You can read our four star review of Spirited Away at the London Coliseum and our news story on its first London season.

The story on stage

Spirited Away tells the enchanting tale of Chihiro, a girl who, while travelling to a new home with her family, stumbles into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. When her parents are turned into pigs and she is put to work in a magical bathhouse, Chihiro must use her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world.

Miyazaki's 2001 film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003. On stage, the story is told with wildly imaginative puppets, dazzling set and costume designs and a live orchestra playing Joe Hisaishi's magnificent original film score. Critics called it "constant, unpredictable spectacle" (The Independent), "utterly enchanting" (The Express) and a show of "boundless invention" (Financial Times).

The production is performed in the original Japanese, with English surtitles visible from all seats.

Creative team

Spirited Away was reimagined for the stage by Toho Theatrical Department and John Caird, the Olivier and Tony Award winning director of Les Misérables, who adapts and directs. The stage version is co adapted by Maoko Imai.

Joe Hisaishi's score is arranged by Brad Haak. Set design is by Jon Bausor, the puppets are designed by Toby Olié, choreography is by Shigehiro Ide, and the lavish costumes are by Sachiko Nakahara. The 2024 London season earned Olivier nominations for Best Set Design (Jon Bausor, Toby Olié, Daisy Beattie and Satoshi Kuriyama), Best Costume Design (Sachiko Nakahara), Best Sound Design (Koichi Yamamoto) and Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play.

The world tour is presented by TOHO Co., Ltd., the Japanese theatre and film company behind the production since its world premiere in Tokyo in 2022. The London season is co produced by PW Productions.

Cast

Casting for the world tour, including the London season, is to be announced by the producers. We will list every name and role here as soon as it is confirmed.

Dates and running time

The world tour opens at the National Theater in Taipei in December 2026, then visits Tokyo and a national tour of Japan, the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto and the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles before returning to London in spring 2028. Performance days and times for the London Coliseum are to be announced by the venue. The running time is approximately three hours, including one interval.

Who is the show for?

The London Coliseum's age guidance is 7+, and the production is not suitable for children under 6. Children aged 5 and under, including babes in arms, are not admitted to the auditorium, and children need to occupy their own seats throughout the performance. The venue says there will be access performances, with dates still to be announced.

Visiting the London Coliseum

The London Coliseum is on St Martin's Lane, London WC2N 4ES, and is one of the largest theatres in London. The nearest Tube stations are Leicester Square and Charing Cross. The theatre is owned by English National Opera, and photography is not allowed during the show.

More West End spectacle while you wait

For another Studio Ghibli story told with puppets, see My Neighbour Totoro. For more spectacle, try The Lion King.