Step into the enchanting world of Spirited Away as it comes to life on stage at the London Coliseum! Adapted from Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved animated film, this theatrical masterpiece transports audiences to a realm of wonder and magic.
Set in modern-day Japan, the story follows the adventures of Chihiro (Kanna Hashimoto), a brave young girl who finds herself trapped in a mysterious spirit world after her parents undergo a bizarre transformation. As Chihiro navigates this surreal landscape filled with spirits, witches, and fantastical creatures, she must summon all her courage and ingenuity to find a way back to the human world and rescue her family.
The 2003 animated film has only recently been surpassed as the highest-grossing Japanese film ever. And its writer and director, Hayao Miyazaki, is considered a living legend for his awe-inspiring creative works. With the green light from Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli team, the production was lovingly adapted for theatre by the show’s director, John Caird (Les Misérables) and co-adapted by Maoko Imai.
The narrative stays very close to the original film, with a running time of approximately 3 hours. The length feels appropriate, giving us time to follow our protagonist’s complex emotional journey through the spirit world. Kanna Hashimoto, as Chihiro, demonstrated her excellent emotional range as the young character, from uncertainty and vulnerability to determination and resilience. And, as I’d hoped, Chihiro’s connection with her co-protagonist, the river god Haku (Kotaro Daigo), was compelling throughout, including through his transformation into dragon form.
The formidable witch sisters Yubaba and Zeniba, both played by Romi Park, were two of the most commanding presences on stage. Park embodied the witches’ larger-than-life personalities from under prosthetics in an outstanding performance of cunning and flamboyance.
“Spirited Away will be as enchanting to adults as it is to children. The story and emotions are simple yet layered, and the production inspires awe at every level”.
The original film contains crowds of these extravagant characters, with epic dragons, gods and monsters. Even Miyazaki was curious about how one might visualise Spirited Away on stage. That’s where Toby Olié‘s masterful puppetry design and direction came in. Despite the story being mainly based in a typical Japanese bathhouse, Olié developed an array of props and costumes that transport the audience into a magical work of fiction.
The exceptional thought put into the play’s illusions meant Spirited Away‘s bustling energy could echo on stage. The set felt like a character in its own right, looking almost alive thanks to an uncountable amount of moving parts and sharp adaptive lighting. And, to manage the diversity of vivid characters, the puppetry struck an unexpected balance. Some characters were adorned in simple costumes, leaving their grandiosity to the imagination. In contrast, others literally filled the stage, being puppeteered by multiple people. Overall, an artful decision, and a masterclass in camp!
But it wouldn’t be Spirited Away without the balance of tender and still moments. As Chihiro rides the train that takes her through the spirit realm, the air is heavy, and the stunning lighting and score allow for nostalgic reflection. I appreciated the show making space for these reflective scenes, which stay true to this prominent feature of Miyazaki’s work.
To my pleasant surprise, the actors conversed in Japanese, with English subtitles for the audience. The preservation of Spirited Away‘s heritage speaks to the significance of its roots in Japanese culture, folklore, and storytelling. The play focused on non-verbal communication to convey the story, showing how universal the themes are. It was easy to stay connected throughout, with the emotions and atmosphere easily communicated through the powerful body language and set design.
Long-standing Miyazaki fans won’t be disappointed, but you don’t need to have familiarity to fall in love with this production. It’s not often I claim a show to be ‘for the whole family’, but Spirited Away will be as enchanting to adults as it is to children. The story and emotions are simple yet layered, and the production inspires awe at every level.
Need to know: Spirited Away plays at the London Coliseum until 24 August 2024
