My Neighbour Totoro (1988) is considered a classic, not just of animated cinema but cinema as a whole. Its whimsical, yet heartfelt nature creates a perfect storm of beauty in the film. Upon going into the theatre, I thought much of the film would lose this charm in its adaptation to the stage. Therefore, when the stage play for My Neighbour Totoro successfully adapted almost all of the elements of the film, I was struck with the same sense of childlike wonder and amazement I had seeing the original.

The most pertinent aspect of the stage play to talk about is how the more fantastical elements of My Neighbour Totoro were adapted to the stage through the incredible usage of puppetry. The character of Totoro is large yet lovable. Therefore, when the crew of the play were able to perfectly capture that same sense of sheer scale of Totoro that is integral to his character, alongside all of his lovable charm, it is truly a sight to behold. A mix of inflatables, hand puppets, wearable costumes, and marionettes are all employed within this performance in order to recreate the feel of the animation as closely as possible, and all of the efforts of the incredibly talented puppeteers paid off. My Neighbour Totoro the stage play makes it feel as though the animation has left the screen.

The set design of My Neighbour Totoro is outstanding. A large part of what defines the original work is the rural Japanese town it is set in, therefore the recreation of this environment on stage works incredibly well. By designing the house the main cast resides within (the largest set) in a modular fashion, it allows it to be constantly reused and rearranged in different formations to recreate the different locations smoothly and effectively.

The actors of the stage play are all incredibly talented and capture their roles with all of the nuance and depth required for creating an emotional response. The standout however, is the actor for Mei (Mei Mac) who is able to bring the energy and the life necessary for playing the role of a 4-year-old perfectly. Her mannerisms and line delivery are constantly conveying and convincing the audience that she is actually a young child, optimistic to the world, and incredibly self-determined. As an adaptation of an existing character, she feels as though she is the animated character brought to life.

Ultimately, My Neighbour Totoro is something special. Seeing this beloved and nostalgic film adapted to the stage in such a perfect manner filled me with a childlike glee that cannot be overstated. I spent the entirety of the performance grinning with joy, swept away in the charm and the whimsy that the story evokes. It is fair to say, more than any other stage performance I have seen, My Neighbour Totoro makes you feel like a child again and is incredible to witness for its sheer scope and emotion.

Rating: 4.5/5

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