Jim Henson’s Creature Shop will make puppets for theatrical performances based on MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO by Hayao Miyazaki

Jim Henson’s Los Angeles-based animatronics and visual effects studio Creature Shop has teamed up with the UK’s Royal Shakespeare Company to produce life-size puppets for the RSC stage adaptation of the legendary Japanese animator. Hayao Miyazakithe hand drawn classic from 1988, my neighbor Totoro.

The RSC calls this project its “most ambitious project to date, even more so than the original musical productions of the award-winning theater company. the Miserables And Matilde the Musical. “ My neighbour Totoro now it has creatives working there in bases in London, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Los Angeles and Tokyo.

The show will feature that composer’s score Joe Hisaishi created for the film, as well as additional music that was not used in the film. Phélim McDermottco-artistic director of the Improbable theater company, directs the show.

“Set in 1950s Japan, the story follows the adventures of Satsuki and Mei, young sisters who move from the city of Tokyo to the countryside. Once there, they encounter fantastic spirits and creatures. Two furry ones capture their imaginations: a giant fluffy creature known as the Totoro and a giant cat bus that picks up willing passengers and then soars into the sky.

Are you a fan of my neighbor Totoro? Would you like to see him perform on stage with puppets?

via: Deadline