JAKARTA - Multi-award winning composer Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) are preparing a stage adaptation of Miyazaki Hayao's 1988 Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro.
The adaptation is set to open at London's Barbican art complex this fall, in collaboration with Improbable and Nippon TV.
Hisaishi is the original composer of the film. "In Japan, many people like theater and musicals, but no original Japanese performances or musicals are shown in the world. 'Totoro' is a Japanese work that is famous worldwide, so this stage adaptation has the potential to reach a global audience," Hisaishi said. Variety on Thursday, April 28.
"That's what I thought, and I told Mr Miyazaki 'I want to see a show like that' and he said 'yes, only if you're going to do it,'" he continued.
Written by playwright Tom Morton-Smith ("Oppenheimer") and directed by Phelim McDermott with production designs by Tom Pye, costumes by Nakano Kimie, lighting by Jessica Hung Han Yun, and movement by Yamanaka You-Ri. The production will also feature puppets created by Basil Twist and music from Hisaishi's score in a new orchestration by Will Stuart, performed live with sound designs by Tony Gayle.
Artwork for this adaptation includes a title drawn directly by Toshio Suzuki, producer for Studio Ghibli, who was involved in the planning and production of the original animated film. Casting for the stage production will be announced soon.
The adaptation will tell the story of the maturity of the lives of siblings Satsuki and Mei in one summer. To be closer to their mother who is being treated in a rural hospital, their father decides to move house in the village.
Mei meets a magical creature and protector of an ancient forest she calls Totoro and her sister immediately embarks on an adventure.
"I am happy that RSC has become our partner because I feel there are many similarities between the qualities of RSC and Mr. Miyazaki's aesthetic," said Hisaishi.
"I was involved with the original animated film, so I felt strongly not to harm the film. If the story were universal – as I believe – it would have global reach even if it was done by people from different cultural backgrounds who spoke in a different language," he continued.
Erica Whyman, RSC's acting artistic director, said that adapting the much-loved magical story for the stage is the next chapter in RSC's longstanding commitment to making spectacular productions through the eyes of children.
RSC itself has presented stage performances for children through "The Magician's Elephant", "Wendy & Peter Pan" and "Matilda The Musical".
"We know that this big new show will attract a large audience of theatergoers as well as loyal fans of the original film," said Erica. My Neighbor Totoro will be played for 15 weeks from October 8, 2022 to January 21, 2023.
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