My Neighbour Totoro - Barbican / Coliseum / Gillian Lynne

So I heard yesterday that they are going to build a second -much smaller set- and transfer this into the west end. God help us all. Will probably clog up a prime west end theatre for ages.

A 'much smaller set' sounds worrying. The staging is a large part of its magic

Yeah, this can clog up the Barbican every Christmas if necessary.

I'd rather we didn't have this or Just For One Day, but that's just me!

I'm going to out myself as a cuddly person. I don't mean I'm rotund and like hugs -- although that might be true too -- but rather I'm an adult who has an affinity and affection for cuddly people, i.e. those creatures that some people disparagingly call "cuddly toys" and Americans horribly term "plush".

Our house has dozens. They all have personalities and we have conversations with them. They are utterly brilliant as a tool for combatting stress, aiding mental health, and as a substitute for childless couples with strong paternal feelings. I know.

On the other hand, excerpts I've seen of Studio Ghibli movies have put me off ever having watched one.

The rave reviews and FOMO swung it, and I rocked up tonight at My Neighbour Totoro, expecting my inner child to rule the day. It was not to be.

This is utterly abysmal. Sure, there's some impressive puppetry and stagecraft, but the narrative, sub-CBeebies-level acting, and complete absence of any character development, especially in the all important cuddly people, meant three hours felt like six. This sure ain't Disney. Boy did time drag; never have I been so bored in a theatre.

This is squarely aimed at 4-8 year olds with a running time double their attention span. Quite what the enthusiastic audience members are getting out of this show is a mystery. It has no appeal that I can fathom for the rest of the family.

One star.

Act 1: 19:02-20:24
Act 2: 20:48-21:42

I loved this, and felt it captured the original anime also perfectly. I get how it isn't for everyone - the anime is definetly as 'hot cocoa and warm blankets' sort of a movie. After a pretty awful mid-winter, it was just the tonic I needed. Cute puppets and a touch of theatre magic. It's absolutely a warm hug of a show, and that might not be for you though.

Saw it again and enjoyed it immensely as last time.

I think criticalprole and viserys puts it well that this adaptation of a "Hot cocoa and warm blankets movie" can bring out your inner child and leave you in a good place

Had me beaming and teary eyed.

The pacing issues remain. The catbus sequence in the second act remains indulgent and other moments could be slimmed. This may be sacrilegious for Ghibli fans, but you could cut out most of the soot sprite stuff during the first 30 minutes and the play can get to the thrust of the story quicker.

I say fans of the film should go and see it. Those who have seen other Ghibli films and are aware of the pacing their stories go at would also enjoy this. I'd certainly recommend watching the film or a Ghibli work beforehand

Currently in talks to open at the Gillian Lynne Feb next year.

Perfect space for it really. A bit scaled down needed but it would do well there.

Made a visit on Monday evening, an excellent show! The puppetry is truly delightful and the book is a great, faithful adaptation of the story. Performances from Mei Mac and Ami Okumura Jones as characters far their junior are amazing.

I do understand the complaints about the run time, I don't think it overstays its welcome overall but there are definitely some scenes that could afford to be leaner with a fair amount of dead air to build "tension" that probably doesn't need to be built, but for me this was a minor grovel in a delightful show otherwise.

4.5 stars, but rounding up to 5 for the poll!

I think someone said it was going into a new theatre?