My Neighbour Totoro Cast Guide: Who Stars in the Magical West End Production?

Studio Ghibli's beloved animated classic has found a stunning new home on the London stage. My Neighbour Totoro, produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, returns to the West End following a record-breaking engagement at The Barbican. Now playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, this enchanting production brings Hayao Miyazaki's tale of childhood wonder, nature spirits, and sisterly love to life through breathtaking puppetry and a deeply talented ensemble cast.

Whether you're a lifelong Ghibli devotee or simply curious about one of the most visually spectacular shows in the West End, here's your complete guide to the cast and creative team behind this magical production.

How Is Totoro Brought to Life on Stage?

One of the most frequently asked questions about the show is simple: who plays Totoro? The answer is far more fascinating than a single name on a programme. The towering, iconic forest spirit isn't portrayed by one performer. Instead, Totoro is operated by a team of highly skilled puppeteers working in extraordinary coordination. The puppet itself was designed by the award-winning artist Basil Twist and brought into physical existence by none other than Jim Henson's Creature Shop, the legendary workshop behind some of cinema and television's most memorable creatures. Additional puppetry design work comes from Mervyn Millar of Significant Object.

The result is something truly remarkable. Totoro moves, breathes, and emotes with a warmth and weight that consistently leaves audiences spellbound. Among the principal puppeteers giving Totoro his gentle, hulking presence on stage are Eero Chen Liu, Gun Suen, and Sango Tajima. Their seamless teamwork is central to what makes this production feel so alive, and so faithful to the spirit of the original film.

Victoria Chen as Mei: The Youngest Sister

At the heart of the story is Mei, the irrepressible four-year-old whose boundless curiosity leads her to discover the forest spirits. Victoria Chen takes on this demanding role, which requires the actor to convincingly channel the physicality and emotional openness of a very young child across a full-length stage production. Chen's previous stage credits include Aladdin at Perth Theatre, The Night Before Christmas at the Polka Theatre, and As You Like It at the Orange Tree Theatre. Her energy and commitment to the role anchor the production's emotional core, and her journey from playful explorer to a child in genuine peril gives the second act its dramatic urgency.

Helen Chong Jones as Satsuki: The Older Sister

Playing opposite Chen is Helen Chong Jones as Satsuki, Mei's older sister. Where Mei is impulsive and fearless, Satsuki carries the quiet burden of responsibility. She is old enough to understand her mother's illness and young enough to still be frightened by it. It's a layered, emotionally complex role that Chong Jones inhabits with real sensitivity. Her credits span both stage and screen, including the BBC's The Dumping Ground (the popular Tracey Beaker spin-off), Gerry and Sewell at the Aldwych Theatre, and Hundred Feet Tall at the Old Vic Theatre.

Dai Tabuchi as Tatsuo and the Supporting Cast

Dai Tabuchi plays the girls' father, Tatsuo, the warm and slightly distracted academic who moves his family to the countryside to be closer to their hospitalised mother. Tabuchi is an accomplished performer with credits that include Usagi Yojimbo at Southwark Playhouse, as well as screen roles in Netflix's The Crown and Amazon's Good Omens. He has also lent his voice to the character of Hanzo in the CBeebies series Chuggington.

Jacqueline Tate takes on the role of Granny Ogaki, the kindly neighbour who helps look after the girls. Tate's extensive CV includes Murder on the Orient Express at Chichester Festival Theatre, Avenue Q on its UK tour and at the Lyric Hong Kong, and a stint in The Phantom Of the Opera during its legendary run at Her Majesty's Theatre (now His Majesty's Theatre).

Ai Ninomiya plays the ethereal role of Kaze No Koe, the Voice of the Wind. Ninomiya is also the vocalist behind the production's hauntingly beautiful musical passages, and brings an international perspective to the role, having previously appeared in the Japanese tours of Les Miserables and CHESS the Musical.

The Kazego: Wind Spirits and the Puppetry Ensemble

One of the most distinctive elements of this production is the Kazego, the wind spirits who swirl through the narrative and help create the show's atmosphere of natural magic. These roles are performed by a specialised puppetry ensemble, and many cast members double up as Kazego alongside their named roles, adding layers of movement and storytelling to every scene.

The full ensemble includes Karen Barredo, Melisa Camba, Rachel Clare Chan, Jeffrey Chekai, Victoria Chen (who also plays Mei), Helen Chong (also Satsuki), Chui Yen, Phyllis Ho (who doubles as Yasuko), Victor Itang, Gabriel S. Janoras, Natsumi Kuroda (also Tsukiko), Kumiko Mendl (also Nurse Emiko), Yui Minari, Michelle Miners, Steven Nguyen (who also plays Kanta), Richard P. Peralta, Si Rawlinson (who serves as movement captain), Dai Tabuchi (also Tatsuo), Jacqueline Tate (also Granny Ogaki), and Jamie Zubairi (who doubles as Hiroshi).

Swings covering multiple ensemble tracks include Ronnie Lee, Wenhsin Lee, Amber Lin, Sera Maehara, and Bai Zhijin. In a production this physically demanding and technically complex, the swing performers play a vital role in keeping the show running smoothly night after night.

Why This Production Has Captivated Audiences

What makes My Neighbour Totoro such a phenomenon on the London stage goes beyond its beloved source material. The RSC production, directed by Phelim McDermott, has earned widespread acclaim for the way it translates Miyazaki's hand-drawn artistry into a live theatrical experience. Joe Hisaishi's iconic score, reimagined for the stage, fills the auditorium with the same emotional warmth that has made the 1988 film a touchstone for generations. And Tom Pye's set design, combined with Jessica Hung Han Yun's lighting, creates a world that feels both intimate and vast.

The use of puppetry is central to the show's identity. Beyond Totoro himself, the production features a host of smaller creatures, including the dust spirits (Susuwatari), the Catbus, and the miniature Totoros, all brought to life through techniques that blend traditional Japanese puppetry with cutting-edge theatrical craft. It's a production that rewards repeat viewing, as there is always something new to notice in the margins of every scene.

Should You Book Tickets?

If you're looking for a West End experience that transcends age groups and offers something genuinely different from the typical musical or play, My Neighbour Totoro is an essential booking. It's a show that moves adults to tears and fills children with wide-eyed wonder in equal measure. The combination of world-class puppetry, a deeply emotional story, and a cast performing at the top of their game makes this one of the standout productions currently running in London.

Tickets are available now for performances at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Given the show's record-breaking history, early booking is strongly recommended.

Looking for more magical experiences on the London stage? Browse our full selection of family shows, explore all currently running West End shows, or read more theatre news and features on BritishTheatre.com.