NEWS TICKER
Published on
April 30, 2024
Spirited Away comes to London Coliseum
By
douglasmayo
The European premiere of the original Japanese stage production of Studio Ghibli's award-winning Spirited Away at the London Coliseum is announced.
Mona Kamishiraishi and No Face from Spirited Away. Photo: Jay Brooks
In these first-look images an iconic scene from the film is recreated on a London tube carriage, featuring Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi who return from the original Japanese production as Chihiro, sitting alongside ‘No-Face’.
Spirited Away runs at London Coliseum from 30 April - 29 August 2024. Studio Ghibli’s Sprited Away, created by legendary animator and director Hayao Miyazaki, has been re-imagined for the stage by Toho Theatrical Department and Olivier and Tony Award-winning director John Caird (Les Misérables). Following a sell-out tour of Japan in 2022, the original Japanese cast will perform this spectacular production for a strictly limited London season. The production will be presented in the original Japanese, with English captions. Miyazaki’s masterpiece is brought beautifully to life with a live orchestra playing the magnificent film score by Joe Hisaishi arranged by Brad Haak (Mary Poppins), dazzling set design by Jon Bausor (Bat Out of Hell), wildly imaginative puppets designed by Toby Olié (Pinocchio: National Theatre), choreography by Shigehiro Ide (NODA MAP Series), and lavish costumes by Sachiko Nakahara.
Photo: Jay Brooks
Director Hayao Miyazaki's timeless masterpiece Spritied Away became an explosive blockbuster after its 2001 release and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2003. A masterpiece of storytelling and stunning visuals Spirited Away tells the enchanting tale of Chihiro who while traveling to a new home with her family, stumbles into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. When her parents are turned into pigs and she is put to work in a magical bathhouse, Chihiro must use her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents, and return to the normal world.
The original Japanese Stage Production of Spirited Away is based on the Oscar-winning animated feature film by Hayao Miyazaki, adapted by John Caird, co-adapted by Maoko Imai and featuring the original score by Joe Hisaishi.