LONDON – The stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved anime film “Spirited Away” has opened in London’s West End theater district. Originally premiering in Japan in 2022, the play is directed and adapted by British director John Caird. The Japanese cast performs in Japanese, with English subtitles provided for the audience.
Running through August 24, the adaptation marks a rare occasion where a Japanese-language performance is staged overseas for an extended period in a prestigious theater district like the West End.
On opening day, Kanna Hashimoto, 25, portrayed the protagonist Chihiro in the matinee, while Mone Kamishiraishi, 26, took the role in the evening performance. Both shows were nearly sold out and received standing ovations, highlighting the production’s warm reception and success.