My Neighbour Totoro - Barbican / Coliseum / Gillian Lynne

The opening day of booking broke box office records for a single day. That’s all. Subsequent days didn’t.

I'm not sure what your particular beef is with this franchise, but it's a little odd.

This is doing great, with almost four whole months until previews for the box office advance to swell even further.

I just really hope they are able to capture, on stage, the magical wonder of the movie (which is a masterpiece).

I'm the most excited I've been about a new production in ages.

I wouldn't really call it a franchise.

It's a classic and very well known one off film from one of the most well respected film studios in the world whose movies are often called works of art.

I assume you also disapproved of Les Mis, Matilda, the boy in the dress too? All commercial productions the RSC were involved in. I think its great the RSC occasionally gets more involved with commercial theatre, something that if its successful can bring in much needed funds. Organisations like that should try and not be 100% reliant on funding.

I watched a live stream tonight with a puppeteer (Basil Twist) and costume designer (Kimie Nakamo) who are both working on the Totoro production. I had access to it as a Barbican member. It was interesting on just how long they have been developing the production. Back in 2020 when the Barbican was closed due to lockdown they were able to develop ideas on the Barbican stage. There is clearly quite a lot of excitement at the involvement of the Jim Henson studios and we were shown photos of how they are developing Totoro's eyes and fur. The costume designer discussed the 1955 setting and the colour palette and natural fibres she is using. It is clearly going to be very beautiful.

Booked this as a birthday present for my partner who is a Ghibli fan. I know nothing about it but have heard of the film and was aware of its reputation as a classic.

It's exciting to hear about the calibre of creatives involved. Will be watching the film soon and can't wait for this trip to the Barbican. Anything Goes was our first big, full show after lockdown and I'll always have a soft spot for the Barbican thinking of that glorious memory.

This is opening next week and sales seem to be strong. And to think we had certain people proclaiming it would do badly.

Ticket sales seem to be weak except for Friday/Saturday and they already have TodayTix lined up to shift unsold seats. And to think we had certain people here saying it would sell out !

Since when is being on TodayTix a sign of anything? Practically everything (except very small shows or productions in smaller venues) is on TodayTix. Prima Facie was on Today Tix and that was like hen’s teeth.

There is - £25 each morning available in person & online.

It's crazy how some of you forget that the majority of shows in the West end currently are like this. Most tickets for most shows don't sell out months in advance any more. The fact that they've sold so much during the first few weeks is quite impressive at the moment.

Just got back from this and there is a lot of good to be said about it.

Puppets are excellent, getting rounds of applause. First appearance of totoro is particularly good.

Acting also very good, particularly by the two girls in the lead roles.

Very much a Japanese feel to it and there's a definite studio ghibli feel as well, often dreamy which can make it feel a little bit slow at a couple of points, but certainly doesn't affect enjoyment and could be easily improved in preview and the 2hr 45 did fly by.

Set is also great, moving and changing as the story progresses. It's also feels big.

You also get a badge.

5 stars and will definitely go for another viewing later in the run.