Spirited Away, London Coliseum Review

Reviews

9 May

`Kotaro Daigo (Haku) in Spirited Away. Photo by Johan Persson`

Written by Emmie for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review. All views are my own.

Since it was announced that the multi-award-winning production My Neighbour Totoro would be transferring to the Gillian Lynne Theatre next year, there has been a void in the London theatre scene that only another Studio Ghibli adaptation could fill. The European premiere of Spirited Away has arrived at the London Coliseum, with performances planned until 24 August.

Considered one of the best anime films of all time, Hayao Miyazaki’s story about a young girl named Chihiro, trapped in the spirit world and forced to work at a bathhouse for the gods, has this seamless transition from animation to stage feel about it that just cultivates everything you would want from a stage show. It portrays this relationship between the puppetry, set and costume designs that will leave you picking your jaw up off the floor. Directed by the Olivier and Tony Award-winning director of Les Miserables, John Caird, Spirited Away features the original Japanese cast as well as a live orchestra who play the magnificent original film score by Joe Hisashi. Its interpretation of the beloved anime movie will leave you in awe of the magic that theatre can capture.

`Kanna Hashimoto (Chihiro) and Hikaru Yamano (Kaonashi or No-Face). Photo by Johan Persson`

For fans of the movie, you will be astonished at the accuracy of the stage adaptation. With only a few minor adjustments we get to see the original story play out on stage with clever yet beautiful stagework stepping in to do the heavy lifting for the more fanciful animations.

For those who have never seen the film before, this is still a fantastic show to see, though coming in armed with some fore-knowledge would certainly help with some of the action which, while stunning, didn’t translate as well from animation.

A really important element of this production is the use of the Japanese language; particularly the integration of Kanji (which is used for writing nouns, adjectives, adverbs and verbs). Spirited Away enables English audiences to access the show through subtitles played on the side of the stage. This doesn’t result in any disconnection from the storyline. Miyazaki was well known for including word play in his works, this is seen throughout the names in the cast as well as the signage throughout the show.

The quality of the cast in this production are sublime. Kanna Hashimoto takes on Chihiro, from the timid and uncertain to the courageous and compassionate, she sustains our attention for the entirety of the show. Kotaro Daigo serves as a guide and ally to Chihiro as his character Haku. His enigmatic and protective character oozes warmth in its entirety and the many transitions his character undergoes in this production is flawless. Then there’s the absorbing fluidity in Hikaru Yamano’s portrayal of No-Face (Kaonashi) who shows the audience this incredible moving ability that he has.

Kotaro Daigo (Haku) as Spirited Away. Photo by Johan Persson

Romi Park takes on the contrasting personalities of the twin sisters Yubaba and Zeniba. From the authoritative and greedy Yubaba to the kind-hearted and gentle Zeniba, Park does an excellent job of performing the two.

Additionally, there are the Kurogo, usually dressed in traditional black attire, who serve as crucial components of this production's framework. They facilitate Spirited Away's execution of the animated layer necessary for a production of this magnitude. You’ll be captivated by how they breathe life into scenes and emphasize some of the smaller details.

Also noteworthy is the duration of this production, spanning 3 hours, yet Spirited Away masterfully captivates its audience throughout. This runtime warrants consideration, particularly for younger viewers whom I anticipate will have the opportunity to engage with and delight in this performance as much as I have.

Spirited Away promises to intertwine the imaginations of its London audience members, offering a must-see theatrical experience!

At London Coliseum until 24 August 2024.