New photos have been recently released of the backstage environment at My Neighbour Totoro. Honestly, it looks just as fun an wholesome backstage as it is onstage!
Michelle Miners, Yui Minari, Chui Yen, Sera Maehara, Sango Tajima backstage, photo by Danny Kaan
Based on the iconic Studio Ghibli film, My Neighbour Totoro follow sisters Mei and Satsuki as their family moves to a rural Japanese town in the 1950s. As the girls explore their new home, they find that in addition to their human neighbours, they live near some very interesting spirits.
My Neighbour Totoro has received outstanding reviews. The Stage hailed it as “A huge, healing hug of a show…utterly beguiling,” with Broadway World stating “Wow is too small a word.” Additionally, this production is the winner of 5 Whatsonstage awards and 6 Olivier awards- including the Olivier for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play.
Totoro opened at the Gillian Lynne theatre in March of 2025. It is now in it’s final booking season, and will play it’s final performance on January 3rd. Don’t let the magic pass you by! Book tickets here!
Victoria Chen, Steven Nguyen, Chui Yen, Helen Chong backstage, photo by Danny KaanMichelle Miners, Rachel Clare Chan backstage, photo by Danny KaanNatsumi Kuroda and a crew member backstage, photo by Danny KaanSera Maehara backstage, photo by Danny KaanAi Ninomiya backstage, photo by Danny KaanBai Zhijin, Eero Chen Liu backstage, photo by Danny KaanSteven Nguyen backstage, photo by Danny KaanNatsumi Kuroda and a crew member backstage, photo by Danny Kaan
First is The Devil Wears Prada! Teri Hatcher (Lois & Clark, Desperate Housewives) will be taking over the role of Miranda Priestly on October 20th. Of her new role, she said “Miranda is intelligent, commanding, and has a glorious way of putting you in your place while being funny at the same time. Her dialogue is unforgettable, her confidence is contagious. These are the kinds of roles one loves to play. I can’t wait to embrace Miranda’s sharp wit, fierce ambition, and iconic style, and share her story on a stage with a new audience every night.”
Next up is The Hunger Games On Stage. Beginning on October 23rd, Elizabeth Anderson will step into the role of Katniss Everdeen alongside Vinnie Copeland as Peeta Mellark. Nathan Stokes (Gale), Daisy Statham (Prim), Alix Dunmore (Mrs Everdeen), and Isabel Della-Porta (Effie) will join them. Theo Ogundipe (Cinna), Neil McDermott (Haymitch), and Daniel Brocklebank (Caesar) complete the principal cast. The company includes returning cast members Aiya Agustin, Geo Bailey and Alexandra Barredo, alongside new cast members including Jason Battersby, Myla Carmen, Montel Morrison and Jhanaica van Mook.
It was previously announced that Lolly Adefope would be taking over the role of Mary Todd Lincoln in “Oh, Mary!” Joining her will be both Lucy Frederick (Mary’s Chaperone), J R Ballantyne (Mary’s Husband’s Assistant), and Vinnie Heaven (Mary’s Teacher), and Syrus Lowe (Mary’s Husband). This show will conclude it’s West End Run in January, so be sure to grab your tickets soon!
This year marks the 10 year anniversary of this unique show at London County Courthouse. Matthew McGivern and Sophie Craig will join the show as Leonard Vole and Romaine Vole, respectively. Jo Stone-Fewings returns as Sir Wilfrid Robarts QC, with Crispin Redman as Mr Mayhew, Jude Owusu as Mr Myers QC and David Shaw-Parker as Mr Justice Wainwright.
Finally, Sahar Awad, Philip Battley, William Baylis, Siobhan Bevan, Garon Akbar Clark, Michael Cusick, Anthony Ofoegdu, Sean Paul Jenkinson, Io Munro, Caroline Partridge, Tom Richardson and Tristan Rivelle complete the company.
All these announcements have us so excited for this fall! Click here for tickets for all these shows and more.
Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.
Brought to life by a multi-award-winning creative team, who take theatrical storytelling and stagecraft to a whole new dimension, this gripping new adventure will take you right back to the beginning of the Stranger Things story – and may hold the key to the end.
Currently playing at the Phoenix Theatre. This show closes on December 27th.
Not-So-Spooky Titles
Maybe you’re not into scary shows, but still want a night out with fall or Halloween vibes. We’ve got you. Here’s a selection of shows featuring ghosts, witches and wizards, and the cosy feeling of a pumpkin spice latte.
Based on Tim Burton’s beloved movie classic, this wildly funny – and weirdly life-affirming – musical tells the tale of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager sharing her home with a pair of newly-deads and the demonic ghost with the most, Beetlejuice. He’s dead trouble, but if you really want to feel alive, just say his name three times…
19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance.
The two-part production of this show closes next week, with the one-part production opening on October 9th! This show is playing at the Palace Theatre.
We all know how the story begins. But what happens after it ends?
Once upon a time…
The Baker and his wife. A Witch with a curse. A boy and his cow. A girl in a red cloak. A maiden with long flowing hair. A servant covered in cinders. All journey deep into the dark woods.
As the adventure unfolds and paths entwine, wishes are made, slippers are lost, beanstalks take flight and new friendships are forged – revealing that life beyond ‘Happily ever after’ can still be full of magic, even when there’s darkness.
This show will be playing at the Noel Coward Theatre beginning on September 22nd.
We all know the classic story of The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy famously triumphed over The Wicked Witch of the West but do we know everything? We only heard one side of the story after all! Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, revealing the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
This show is currently playing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
Make the most of the final weeks of summer with a trip to the West End. It’s a fantastic way to bring the whole family together and create lasting memories. To help you choose, we’ve rounded up a selection of summer shows currently playing, organized by age group. (Psst- these are the ones that won’t break the bank!)
Join Blippi and Meekah live on stage for a one-of-a-kind interactive adventure that inspires kids to move like, play like, and explore just like Blippi!
This show is 80 minutes long and plays at The Arts at Marble Arch. Tickets are starting at £22.50.
The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!
This show is 55 minutes long and plays at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Tickets are starting at £9.50.
Searching for hazelnuts, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the high-spirited Snake. Will the story of the terrifying Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland creatures? After all, there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo – is there?
This show is 1 hour long and plays at the Lyric Theatre. Tickets are starting at £11.
Ancient Greece. A time of gods, mortals… and Hercules, who isn’t quite either. But if he’s not a god, how can he possibly save the world from Hades? It’s one thing flexing those pecs, but going from zero to hero requires a different kind of strength.
This show is 2 hours and 10 minutes long and plays at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Tickets start at £31.
My Neighbour Totoro is an enchanting coming-of-age story exploring the magical fantasy world of childhood and the transformative power of imagination, as it follows one extraordinary summer in the lives of sisters Satsuki and Mei.
This show is 2 hours and 30 minutes long and plays at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Tickets are starting at £34.
Wicked is the magical story of an unexpected friendship between two young women whose lives take very different paths in the Land of Oz. With spectacular songs, breath-taking stage effects, and plenty of heart, it’s a fun and unforgettable musical the whole family can enjoy.
This show is 2 hours and 45 minutes long and plays at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Tickets start at £32.50.
Oliver! is a lively and heart-warming musical packed with unforgettable songs, colourful characters, and plenty of adventure. Follow young Oliver as he journeys through Victorian London, making new friends, facing exciting challenges, and discovering where he truly belongs.
This show is 2 hours and 40 minutes long and plays at the Gielgud Theatre. Tickets start at £39.
Fresh out of college, aspiring journalist Andy scores a job at the prestigious Runway magazine working for fashion’s most powerful and terrifying icon — editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly. Sacrificing her personal life to meet Miranda’s impossible demands, Andy finds herself seduced by the glamorous world she once despised. How far will she go to succeed… and will it be worth selling her soul to get what she’s always wanted.
This show is 2 hours and 35 minutes long and plays at the Dominion Theatre. Tickets start at £27.50.
When a rogue British agent pilfers plans for a top-secret weapon, CIA and KGB spies converge on London’s Piccadilly Hotel in pursuit of the elusive file. Join a clueless young couple, a hapless actor angling for an exciting spy movie role, and enough double agents to confuse even the sharpest operative, in a mission that’s hilariously out of control.
This show is 2 hours and 20 minutes long and plays at the Adelphi Theatre.
Meet Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager sharing her home with a pair of newly-deads and the demonic ghost with the most, Beetlejuice. He’s dead trouble, but if you really want to feel alive, just say his name three times…
This show is 2 hours and 40 minutes long and plays at the Prince Edward Theatre.
If you had the power over life and death, what would you do? When brilliant student Light Yagami discovers a notebook with the power to determine who lives and who dies, his mission to reshape society quickly spirals out of control.
This show is 2 hours and 20 minutes long and plays at the Barbican.
This year has seen a dramatic increase in puppetry in the West End. Puppets have been around for centuries, with evidence of their existence dating back to Greece in the 5th century BCE. From finger puppets, to shadow puppets, to marionettes, there are dozens of different kinds of puppets. Let’s talk about how they’re being used on the West End today!
The Lion King
Certainly one of the biggest examples of puppetry in the West End is The Lion King. This show uses over 232 puppets, and each one is specially crafted to have a certain affect onstage. Zazu, pictured above, is a hand puppet. The actor holds controls that trigger his mouth and eyes in one hand, and the movement of the other arm controls his wings.
Another notable puppet is the cheetah, pictured below. The actress controls the back legs of the cheetah with her legs, the front legs with her hands, and she controls the cheetah’s head with her own. She wears a special headpiece that connects to the cheetah’s head with cables. This fully aligns her movements with the cheetah, allowing for a full transformation. Neat, huh?
My Neighbour Totoro
Another brilliant example of puppetry in the West End is My Neighbour Totoro.
Photographed by Manuel Harlan
The puppets used in this show were designed by international award-winning puppeteer Basil Twist in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company. This show features five different sized Totoro puppets and seven Sho-Totoro puppets (pictured below), as well as many others, such as soot sprites and chickens.
Since the Totoro puppets are very large, they require a team of puppeteers to operate. Bringing this iconic character to life was no small feat. Putting an animated film with so many magical elements on the stage required utilizing many different crafts. Did you know that every single piece of Totoro’s fur is individually tied onto his body? This was to give him the ultimate soft-and-fuzzy look, so the audience would feel as though they want to touch him.
This hilarious show features a range of characters- humans, puppets, and monsters alike! The show primarily uses two different kinds of puppets: rod and live-hand, both pictured below. Rod puppets only require a single actor to operate. The actor uses one hand to manipulate the puppet’s mouth and head and the other to move either one or both of the puppet’s hands using rods. Live-hand puppets use two actors- one controls the head, mouth, and one hand of the puppet, and the other controls the other hand. It can be a real challenge for the two actors to stay completely in sync while puppeteering!
Noah Harrison as Rod and Charlie McCullagh as Nicky
These are only three examples of puppetry in the West End, but many shows use puppetry in some form or another. Whatever show you choose to see this summer, take a moment to appreciate the dedication and artistry that goes into every aspect of bringing it to life!
The Duke of York’s Theatre on St. Martin’s Lane is to be renamed The Tom Stoppard Theatre this summer. This name change will honour legendary playwright Tom Stoppard following his passing last November.
The change will take place over the next months. Internal signage will begin changing in the next few weeks, with external signage taking a bit more time to complete.
This theatre originally opened in 1892 under the name “Trafalgar Square Theatre.” Two years later it was renamed “Trafalgar Theatre,” and finally was relegated the name “Duke of York’s” in 1895, which it has maintained to this day. The theatre has three gorgeous levels and a capacity of 640 patrons.
Originally born in Czechoslovakia, Stoppard fled the country as a child amid threat of Nazi occupation. Following the war, he settled in the UK with his family. Stoppard always knew he had a passion for writing. At age 17 he left school to be a journalist for the Western Daily Press in Bristol. In the mid 1950s, he began writing short radio plays, and completed his first stage play in 1960. In his lifetime he’d had nearly 50 of his works produced on the stage, and many more works produced for radio, film, and television.
Stoppard writing is notable for themes of censorship, political freedom, and identity. Some of Stoppard’s most notable works for stage include Rosencrantz andGuildenstern are Dead, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Leopoldstadt, and Arcadia.
Arcadia is currently playing at the Tom Stoppard Theatre. This play explores the relationship between chaos and order, and certainty and uncertainty. It is widely lauded as being one of his finest works. For tickets, please click here.
The brand new play by playwright Liz Duffy Adams directed by Daniel Evans, Born with Teeth opens last night at the Wyndham Theatre. The show will be in the West End for 11 weeks only. Here are some of the rehearsal pictures. As official production shots likely won’t be out until the official opening night on September 2nd.
The Play was written by Liz Duffy Adams and is based on the idea of William Shakespere and Christopher Marlowe collaborating on the history plays of Henry VI. Both literary icons this play is a explosive duel between the two full of witiness, word and power play. Ncuti Gatwa stars as Kit Marlowe and Edward Bluemel is Will Shakespere. Bluemel is known for his work in Killing Eve and made his West End debut back in 2017. This will be Gatwa’s West End debut and he is most know for playing the fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who. They have worked together before on the Netflix comedy show Sex Education.
Born with Teeth opens with a huge standing ovation and word of mouth has been very positive with many people praising the performances. Alongside the dynamic and smart book.
Book to see Born With Teeth at the Wyndham Theatre playing until 1st November 2025.
The Play That Goes Wrong have just announced their new cast and extension at the Duchess Theatre until 30th August 2026. This makes it the 11th cast change since the show began. It also means its reign as the longest running comedy play in the West End continues. Their new cast will begin performances on 3rd June 2025.
The new cast includes Jonty Peach (Operation Mincemeat) as Jonathan, Jack Hardwick (The Bodyguard) as Chris, and Robert Jackson (Brief Encounter) as Robert. Also joining the cast and making her professional debut is Izzy Edmunds-Clarke as Annie. Charlotte Scott (Matilda) will play Sandra, and Mitesh Soni (A Midsummer Nights Dream, RSC) will be Dennis. Lastly, Tom Wainwright (Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle) will play Max and Ronnie Yorke will play Trevor.
The understudies are Alex Blackie, Jake Burgum, Kitty Devlin, Louise Hoare and Ed Shamwana.
The Play That Goes Wrong is the first production written by Mischief Theatre. It follows a drama society trying to get through a performance of a murder mystery style play. This first play by Mischief Theatre was so successful that it won the 2014 Olivier for Best New Comedy. Whats more, the team have gone on to creat many more hit west end shows and even had a BBC comedy sketch show produced. Mischief’s original members can be seen in their newest production The Comedy About Spies at the Noel Coward theatre until 3rd August 2025.
You can book to see The Play That Goes Wrong here which is now booking until 30th August 2026.
Already know and love The Play That Goes Wrong? Why not book their newest show The Comedy About Spies or The Christmas Carol Gone Wrong for the festive period.
The Comedy About Spies just opened at The Noel Coward Theatre this week. They just sent us their first production images to share with you following its first sold out preview on Monday!
The show is the latest production by the acting company, Mischief Theatre. Their first show, The Play That Goes Wrong, (a comedy play literally about a play that goes wrong) was a huge success. The have since had many hits in the franchise including A Comedy About a Bank Robbery and Peter Pan Goes Wrong. I think you see the theme here. In fact, the BBC picked up their work for the Goes Wrong Show which was extremley popular.
The highly anticipated The Comedy About Spies feautures the original Mischief Theatre creators. The original cast in this show are Dave Hearn, Chris Leask, Henry Lewis, Charlie Russell, Henry Shields, Greg Tannahill and Nancy Zamit. Also joining them is Mischief Theatre newcomer, Adele Jamesyou can eatch as Cleopatra in Queen Cleopatra on Netflix.
The Comedy About Spies follows a rogue British agent who pilfers plans for a top-secret weapon. CIA and KGB spies converge on London’s Piccadilly Hotel in pursuit of the elusive file. A clueless young couple, as well as a hapless actor angling for the role of James Bond, and enough double agents to confuse even the sharpest operative, and we see a mission that’s hilariously out of control.
The Comedy About Spies is playing for a strictly limited season at the Noel Coward Theatre until 5th September this year. The companys other shows which are currenlty playing includes The Play That Goes Wrong and A Christmas Carol Gone Wrong.
We’ve collated a handy list of West End Shows with Olivier Award Nominations for 2025. The Olivier Awards this year are celebrating their 40th Anniversary since they took Laurence Olivier’s name. For many performers, an Olivier is the highest theatrical honour you could ever receive. This years awards are hosted by two highly acclaimed performers of our time: Billy Porter and Beverely Knight! Billy Porter is currently in one of the biggest West End Shows at the moment, Cabaret. Beverely Knight, perhaps better known as a music artist has only recently stepped off stage from her lead role in Sister Act last year. In fact, Knight is the recipient of an Olivier Award herself back in 2023.
The curtain up for the awards is on 6th April at the Royal Albert Hall. Many of the shows nominated are still playing in London. Book tickets to one of these West End Shows and see for yourself what you think of the nominated shows.
Giant is transferring to the Harold Pinter following its sold-out run at The Royal Court Theatre. John Lithgow (The Crown, Conclave) plays Roald Dahl who is dealing with a scandal some of his writing has caused. This provocative play is Mark Rosenblatt’s writing debut. Director Nicholas Hytner is no stranger to West End Shows, he has directed a countless amount and was actually the director of the beloved National Theatre for 12 years. Elliot Levey is a previous Olivier Award Winner for his role in Cabaret. This year he is nominated for a second time in the category of Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Romola Garai has also been nominated as Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Interestingly, she has been nominated twice within the same category at this years awards.
Outstanding Musical Contribution – Darren Clark for music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements and Mark Aspinall for musical direction, music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements
Clare Foster – Best Actress in a Musical
John Dagliesh – Best Actor in a Musical
Best New Musical
You may remember the Hollywood Blockbuster of the same name however this West End Show is based on the iconic short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The show is reimagined in a Cornish fishing village by award-winning writing teamJethro Comptonand Darren Clark. Under the light of a full moon, something most curious occurs… Benjamin Button is born old. He is bound to the fate of growing younger each day. The show opened in October 2024 and due to its success, has recently announced an extension into August this year. John Dagliesh (Sunny Afternoon) has won this category before in 2014 and Clare Foster (Crazy For You) is also a previous Olivier Award Nominee.
Based on Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux’s groundbreaking masterpiece and memoires, The Years is an unapologetic portrait of a woman shaped by her rapidly-changing world. Writer, mother, student, activist, wife, daughter, lover, grandmother… each vivid version of Annie is told through a series of snapshots. Weaving together memory and history, an ordinary life is marked by a changing body and a changing society. The Actresses in a Supporting Role take half the nominations in this category and it is Romola Garai’s second nomination in this category also.
Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs – Best Lighting Design
Best Musical Revival
Simon Lipkin – Best Actor in a Musical
This classic musical written by Lionel Bart is based on Charles Dickens Novel, Oliver Twist. It follows orphaned Oliver in his fight for survival in Victorian London. The show stopping hits such as Consider Yourself and Food Glorious Food have been choreographed by Matthew Bourne. Matthew Bourne currently has the joint most amount of Olivier Awards, this year could see him take the lead! Simon Lipkin (Guys and Dolls) plays Fagin who takes Oliver in and teaches him the skills of pick-pocketing. This role sees him nominated for Best Actor in a Musical.
This show is already Tony Award winning for its run on Broadway. In fact, winners Myles Frost and Christopher Wheeldon moved to the UK to open the London version of the show. I would consider this one of our best selling shows here at Theatre Bookings so it’s only natural that the show has been nominated for Best New Musical. The show follows Michael Jacksons life, particularly getting ready for the Dangerous World Tour. You can expect to hear some of his greatest hits in this musical.
As a child’s train set magically comes to life and the engines race to become the fastest in the world, Rusty the steam train has little hope of winning until he is inspired by the legend of the ‘Starlight Express’. The show has reopened in the UK after being closed in the West End for 20 Years. A big draw for this show is the impresive visuals which has seen it nominated in two design categories at this year’s Olivier Awards. All of the performers are on rollerskates in the purpose built theatre, creating the speed and illusion of the performers themselves being trains.
Layton Williams – Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Lauren Drew – Best Actress in a Musical
Titanique is a parody of the classic Titanic film. Celine Dion famously sings the theme tune to the film and who better to tell us the story of what happened that night other than… Celine Dion herself… played by Lauren Drew(Six). This musical is another jukebox musical featuring all Celine Dion songs. It has proved to be a laugh out loud hit earning it the nomination of Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play. To give you an idea of the style of the show, star Layton Williams (Cabaret)has achieved his first ever Olivier Nomination for his role of… The Iceberg!
Kyoto is a new political thriller is now playing in London’s West End. Brought to you by the RSC fresh from a critically acclaimed run in Stratford-upon-Avon, this timely show has secured itself two nominations this year.
Set at the Kyoto Conference Centre, 11 December 1997, the nations of the world are in deadlock. 11 hours have passed since the UN’s landmark climate conference should have ended. Time is running out and agreement feels a world away. The greatest obstacle: American oil lobbyist and master strategist, Don Pearlman. Jorge Bosch who has the nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Actor plays Raul Estrada-Oyuela, the Argentine chair of the Kyoto talks.
Tom Xander – Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Based on the hit Film by Tina Fey, Mean Girls has been a hit of a show. Home-schooled Cady Heron may think she knows a thing or two about survival of the fittest thanks to her zoologist mom, but high school is a whole new level of savage. Cady befriends Damian and Janice and they devise a plan to take down the Mean Girls of the school: The Plastics. Tom Xander plays Damian and his comedic timing and powerful vocals have secured him a nomination at this years awards.
Amy Di Bartolemeo – Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Another musical based on a blockbuster film, The Devil Wears Prada has been so successful it recently announced its extension all the way through to 2026! The show follows Andy an aspiring journalist who lands a job as a junior assistant to the Editor in Chief at a huge fashion magazine. She has a slight rivalry in this cut-throat world with Emily played by Amy Di Bartolomeo (SIX). This is the role that has Bartolomeo nominated at this years awards. In the film Emily never got to go to Paris and get the recognition she deserved. Who knows, maybe this award can get justice for Emily!
That’s the round-up for nominated West End Shows, book all your cheap West End Shows with us here at Theatre Bookings.
