The prestigious Barbican centre opened in 1982 in the Barbican Estate of the City of London. It is a performing arts centre that hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, art exhibitions and film screenings; making it one of the largest central hubs of drama and music.
On Wednesday 22nd November, Wimbledon High School Drama GCSE students had the amazing opportunity to watch the stunning theatre adaptation of the award-winning movie My Neighbor Totoro, originally released in 1989. The film was directed by the incredibly talented Hayao Miyazaki - a co-founder of the celebrated Studio Ghibli. The story explores the magical world of childhood and the transformative powers of imagination.
When the students went to watch Phelim McDermott's interpretation of the text, there was a pre-show ambience of warm lighting and anticipation. The audience was completely packed and Emily Evans, a pupil there commented on the theatre atmosphere: "Everyone was very friendly, and the ice-cream in the interval was delicious. It was a really enjoyable experience!".
My Neighbour Totoro is a fantastic coming of age story that follows the story of two girls, Mei and Satsuki, played by Ami Okumura Jones and Mei Mac, who move to the countryside to be near their sick mother. There they have adventures with the wondrous forest sprits who live nearby - enhancing Japanese culture and highlighting the ultimate power of belief.
Additionally, the production elements that bought the show together astounded the audience. The use of sound and lighting were magical, allowing the fantastical essence of the play be bought to life, and the forest set helped show the importance of nature as an almighty and powerful thing. The touches of comedy enhanced the performance and the actors did an incredible job in recreating the heartfelt story. Olivia Slade, a student, said: "The show was suitable for all ages, and although there was a playful atmosphere, there was an underlying deeper meaning". Cecily Standring, an avid pupil also followed up by saying "It was a brilliant homage to the film which was a pop-culture phenomenon - it was very cleverly bought to the stage. The use of different kinds of puppets were extraordinary and the story telling was very immersive."
Furthermore this awe-inspiring Olivier-award winning production is bought to audiences by the Royal Shakespeare Company, in collaboration with Improbable and Nippon TV. It connects with those in the audience whom which the story was part of their childhood, and shows how the legacy of Totoro lives on. It is a highly recommended performance and conveys several important messages and themes. However, this dazzling show will be leaving the Barbican in March 2024, so make sure to watch it before then!
