The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) today announced full details of its festive programme of productions for Winter 2022 including the world premiere of the stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro which will open at London’s Barbican for a strictly limited run from 8 October 2022, plus the return of David Edgar’s critically-acclaimed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, playing in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 26 October 2022.
Acting Artistic Director Erica Whyman said: “I am thrilled to be announcing these two magical shows for families. They continue distinguished RSC traditions of centring the imagination and resilience of children and celebrating the possibility of change. After many years of development I am proud our collaboration with Joe Hisaishi and Studio Ghibli is taking flight at the Barbican in what is set to be a ground-breaking and spectacular theatrical event and delighted that Phelim McDermott will at long last make his RSC debut. Meanwhile in Stratford David Edgar’s Christmas Carol in Rachel Kavanaugh’s entrancing staging seems more timely than ever – a witty, joyful clarion call for a kinder world.”
Presented by Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), My Neighbour Totoro will open at the iconic Barbican for a 15-week season from Saturday 8 October 2022 – Saturday 21 January 2023 with press night on Tuesday 18 October 2022. Priority booking will open from 10am on Monday 9 May 2022, with public booking opening at 10am on Thursday 19 May 2022.
The celebrated 1988 animated feature film by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) will be brought to the stage by its original composer Joe Hisaishi in a landmark new adaptation by the RSC (Matilda The Musical) written by playwright Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer).
Following its premiere in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 2017, David Edgar’s hugely successful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ much-loved classic story A Christmas Carol makes a welcome return to Stratford-upon-Avon this Christmas from Wednesday 26 October 2022 to Sunday 1 January 2023.
Described by The Telegraph as “a magnificent achievement”, David Edgar’s socially-conscious adaptation of Dickens’ classic fable opened in 2017 to critical acclaim in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, where it played to sell-out audiences. The production was later revived the following year due to audience demand.
