Last year, an adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro landed on London’s Barbican stage; when tickets for My Neighbour Totoro went on sale, demand was so huge that it broke the Barbican’s record for sales in a single day, and the original run was so popular that it’s returning for a second run in November, with one of our RadioTimes.com writers already a proud ticket holder for a February show. Now, another Studio Ghibli adaptation is hitting the West End: Spirited Away.

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That same RadioTimes.com writer remembers her friend lending her the Spirited Away video, and she watched it so much that her mum would often say ‘Is this that film again where the parents turn into pigs?’ It was. The Japanese fantasy movie is rich with spirits and sorceresses, and if it’s anything like My Neighbour Totoro’s imaginative puppets, beautiful set design, and dazzling costumes, Spirited Away on stage is set to be an incredible experience.

The Hayao Miyazaki-created movie was reimagined for the stage in Japan in 2022, and it enjoyed a sell-out tour. Now, Les Misérables director John Caird will help debut the play in London with the original Japanese cast using English captions, and it will be accompanied by a gorgeous live orchestra playing Joe Hisaishi’s original film score.

Speaking about Spirited Away’s London debut, Caird said: “I am proud and delighted to present the original Japanese stage production of Spirited Away at the Coliseum Theatre next year. We had a wonderful time creating the show in 2022 and I’m so happy now to be spiriting away a British audience into Hayao Miyazaki’s magical world”.

This could be Spirited Away’s only UK tour, so don’t miss out on bagging tickets to see the play.

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What is the story behind Spirited Away?

Spirited Away tells the story of 10-year-old Chihiro. After moving to the countryside with her mum and dad, she’s horrified to watch her parents turn into pigs after eating food in the local town. In order to transform her parents back into humans, Chihiro must convince the sorceress Yubaba to do so by working in her bath house. The 2001 story features lots of spirits — our favourite is, of course, No Face — and a love story between Chihiro and Haku, a dragon.

Miyazaki’s movie is widely regarded as one of the best of all time; it currently holds position number 29 on the IMDb Top 100, and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards, making it the first (and only) hand-drawn and non-English-language animated film to ever win the award.

Buy Spirited Away tickets at London Theatre Direct

Take a look at our best family UK days out guide for summer holiday activities the whole family will enjoy.

When is Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away coming to London’s West End?

Following on from its sold-out tour of Japan in 2022, Spirited Away is coming to London in April 2024. The original Japanese cast will be performing in the show, with Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi both playing our hero Chihiro.

The limited 12-week run is taking place at the London Coliseum: the largest theatre in the West End. London Coliseum is easy to get to via Charing Cross and Leicester Square stations.

Buy Spirited Away tickets at London Theatre Direct

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How to get Spirited Away tickets for London Coliseum 2024

Pre-sale tickets for Spirited Away are on sale now, having been released at 10am this morning.

Buy Spirited Away tickets at London Theatre Direct

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