2001 Oscar-winning animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, Expelled (Sen To Chihiro No Kamikakushi), was prepared for a theatrical production that will have its world premiere in Tokyo in 2022. This is the first theatrical adaptation of the beloved film and will be written and directed by Tony and Olivier Award winner and Honorary Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, John Caird (Les Misérables, Nicholas Nickleby, Daddy Long Legs) Japanese giant Toho is behind the project.
The original film, by Studio Ghibli, went on to become the highest grossing film of all time in Japan, occupying the spot for 19 years and was only recently overtaken by Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train. It was relaunched in the fall of 2020 and raised over $ 355 million worldwide.
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The story follows Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl who moves with her parents to her new home. They get lost in a mysterious world of fantastic spirits, ruled by the witch Yubaba, who turns Chihiro’s parents into pigs. After a series of bizarre and dangerous challenges, including the loss of his identity, Chihiro must use all his intelligence to survive in this strange place and return to the human world.
Caird says: “I share a belief in all the most dominant themes in Miyazaki’s work, themes that are at the heart of Sen To Chihiro world – care for the environment, reverence for nature, a belief in the strength of good spirits within us and the empowerment of young women and men to change the world for the better … I must have spent a thousand hours working in Sen To Chihiro and we expect to spend many thousands more. “
Chihiro will be doubly played by Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi. Hashimoto (From today it’s my turn) will make his stage debut with Spirited Away. Kamishiraishi is known internationally for her voice work in Your name and Resisting you.
Toshio Suzuki of Studio Ghibli, who produced Spirited Away, says, “We, Hayao and I like John’s vision. He is a person we can trust. I look forward to seeing Chihiro grow up on the stage under his direction. “
Spirited Away will be performed at the Imperial Theater in Toho from February to March 2022. The production will tour Japan during spring and summer. There is no news of transfer to other markets, but it could be a natural evolution.
Toho is known worldwide for Godzilla franchise, as well as the works of Akira Kurosawa. The company’s theater department has presented numerous musicals and original and licensed plays in Japan. They include imports from Broadway and the West End, such as Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, My Fair Lady, Man Of La Mancha, Fiddler On The Roof, La Cage Aux Folles, RENT, Jekyll & Hyde, Jersey Boys, Beautiful The Carole King Musical and The producers. Toho also recently co-produced the Broadway musical Tootsie. Spirited Away it is part of the programs that celebrate Toho’s 90th anniversary.