CaptainCurtis
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After a shower and a bit of a reset, I started walking towards the West End, stopping for an early dinner at Faros Holborn. The space was cosy, service excellent, and the food delivered. The burrata salad was fresh and simple, and the pappardelle with beef ragù was rich and comforting.
I spent a bit of time wandering around the West End afterwards, which, like the rest of London, was buzzing and very much in the holiday spirit.
The highlight of the evening was a visit to the Gillian Lynne Theatre for My Neighbour Totoro, the stage adaptation of the Studio Ghibli film. For anyone unfamiliar, Totoro is one of Ghibli’s most iconic stories - a gentle, deeply human tale about childhood, imagination, and finding comfort in nature during uncertain times. It’s not driven by conflict or spectacle, but by small moments, wonder, and emotion.
The stage production translates that spirit beautifully. The puppeteering is nothing short of extraordinary, bringing the characters to life in a way that feels both technically impressive and emotionally resonant. The Totoro creatures themselves are enormous, yet move with a surprising softness and warmth, drawing audible gasps from the audience when they first appear. Rather than relying on dialogue-heavy scenes, the show leans into movement, music, and visual storytelling, staying remarkably true to the tone of the original film.
What stood out most was how wholesome and sincere the entire production felt. It managed to be joyful without being childish, nostalgic without being sentimental, and visually spectacular without ever losing its quiet heart. I wasn't actually familiar with the story beforehand, but a colleague at work highly recommended the play and it has easily become one of the most memorable theatre experiences I've had.
I spent a bit of time wandering around the West End afterwards, which, like the rest of London, was buzzing and very much in the holiday spirit.
The highlight of the evening was a visit to the Gillian Lynne Theatre for My Neighbour Totoro, the stage adaptation of the Studio Ghibli film. For anyone unfamiliar, Totoro is one of Ghibli’s most iconic stories - a gentle, deeply human tale about childhood, imagination, and finding comfort in nature during uncertain times. It’s not driven by conflict or spectacle, but by small moments, wonder, and emotion.
The stage production translates that spirit beautifully. The puppeteering is nothing short of extraordinary, bringing the characters to life in a way that feels both technically impressive and emotionally resonant. The Totoro creatures themselves are enormous, yet move with a surprising softness and warmth, drawing audible gasps from the audience when they first appear. Rather than relying on dialogue-heavy scenes, the show leans into movement, music, and visual storytelling, staying remarkably true to the tone of the original film.
What stood out most was how wholesome and sincere the entire production felt. It managed to be joyful without being childish, nostalgic without being sentimental, and visually spectacular without ever losing its quiet heart. I wasn't actually familiar with the story beforehand, but a colleague at work highly recommended the play and it has easily become one of the most memorable theatre experiences I've had.
