宮崎駿原作•監督、音楽•久石譲氏のジブリ映画「となりのトトロ（My Neighbour Totoro）が、長くロンドンで公演を続けています。

2023年には英国演劇界で最高峰といわれる ローレンス・オリビエ賞の最多6部門受賞。

しかし、大戦後５年目の日本の田舎のお話がイギリスのRSC(ロイヤル•シェークスピア•カンパニー)劇場で大ブレークしている理由は何でしょう。

「自然が美しい」、「みんな優しい」、「複雑なテーマが描かれている」と言われています。その他に「トトロ」の話がイギリスの有名な「不思議の国のアリス」（ルイス•キャロル）と「ナルニア国物語」（C.S.ルイス）に似たところがあるからだとも言われています。

その上にイギリス公演では、トム•モートン＝スミス氏（シェークスピア作品、レ•ミゼラブル、オッペンハイマーなどの脚本で有名）や日本を含み英米亜の優れた方々によって演じられ、制作されています。そのインターナショナルな人々の考えと日本文化を大事にした舞台作り（例えばプラスティックを使わないで、杉や本物の葉を使う）など、世界共同体での作成が成功のポイントだと言われています。

トトロは日本だけの物語でなくなっています。

イギリス版の脚本を書かれたトム•モートン=スミスさんは「トトロ」の脚本を書いている時、奥様は女の子をみごもってられたけれど、時が来ても、お嬢様には会えなかったそうです。
それで、「トトロ」の舞台を多くの人が見にくれることが娘の供養と思って、脚本は、祈りを込めて書いたと話されていました。

又、宮崎駿さんはこの物語を書いたのは、子供の時「信じた事」「楽しかった事」「驚いた事」を忘れないため、それが喜びの元だからだと言われています。

多くの思いの詰まった「となりのトトロ」、英語で歌って元気になって下さい。

Summary 1:

The Ghibli film “My Neighbor Totoro,” written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, and composed by Joe Hisaishi, has been a hit at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) Theatre in London for years. It won six Laurence Olivier Awards in 2023. The story of rural Japan five years after World War II is popular due to its beautiful nature, kind people, and complex themes, similar to famous British stories like “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.” The UK production features a talented cast and crew from the UK, America, and Asia, including Tom Morton-Smith. Its success lies in its global community production, which respects international perspectives and Japanese culture, using real cedar and leaves. Totoro has transcended its Japanese origins.
Tom Morton-Smith, who wrote the British version of the screenplay, said that while he was writing the script for "Totoro," his wife was pregnant with a daughter, but when the time came, he was unable to meet her. He said that he wrote the script with a prayer in his heart, believing that having many people come to see the "Totoro" production would be a way to honor his daughter.
It is also said that Hayao Miyazaki wrote this story because he wants us to never forget the "things we believed," "things we enjoyed," and "things we were surprised by" as children, and that these are the source of our joy.
"My Neighbor Totoro" is filled with so much thought. Sing it in English to cheer yourself up!

Summary 2: Shorter version

The Ghibli classic My Neighbor Totoro, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki with music by Joe Hisaishi, has enjoyed years of success in London. In 2023, it won six Laurence Olivier Awards, British theater’s highest honor. Set in rural postwar Japan, the story’s appeal at the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre is often credited to its lush portrayal of nature, kindness, and layered themes, as well as its kinship with British favorites like Alice in Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia.
The UK production, led by Tom Morton-Smith—known for works on Shakespeare, Les Misérables, and Oppenheimer—brings together talent from the UK, US, and Asia. It honors both global perspectives and Japanese culture, using materials like cedar and real leaves on stage. Totoro has thus become a shared cultural treasure, not just a Japanese story.
Morton-Smith, who wrote the British screenplay while awaiting the birth of his daughter, dedicated the work to her as a heartfelt tribute. Miyazaki, for his part, created Totoro to remind us never to lose the beliefs, joys, and wonders of childhood—the true roots of happiness.
"My Neighbor Totoro" is a work of deep feeling—sing it in English if you need to lift your spirits.