London Access Review -
My Neighbor Totoro

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ID: image of the My Neighbor Totoro stage with the text "Access Review" on top

 

General Note

This is a review of the accessibility of the theater, of the lighting/sound/scent design of the show, and a list of content warnings as a way to prep folks with various needs before they go see it.

This is not meant to scare anyone away from seeing the show. Most productions have about the same amount of content warnings and sensory warnings to go along with it, they’re just rarely explicitly written down. 

For some people, knowing these things ahead of time makes it easier to enjoy the show because they know what to expect. And, often, makes those people more likely to see it in the first place. I hope that it’s helpful! 

I am also happy to clarify any specifics, just send me a message or an email and I will respond when I can.

Also please note that I make these while seeing a show for the first time, so I may miss some cues or be slightly off as to their placement/cue line!

Theater

Gillian Lynne Theatre

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the very front left row of the stalls

Bathrooms:

  • divided into the binary 

  • located at the top of the first set of stairs on the far left

Other theater accessibility:

  • to get to the theater, you go up one escalator, then a flight of stairs for the restrooms and bar area. The stalls are up another half flight from there (there is a lift available to the accessible seating)

  • each row has some steps up or down, with the exception of the accessible row(s)

  • the theatre has an infrared audio system and loop receivers 

  • they also have various assisted performances and offer a free carer ticket (the assisted performance page includes a sonic story, visual story, and both BSL and audio notes for the show)

Click here for more information on the physical accessibility of this theater.

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I might recommend earplugs for this show, I just used one

  • the sensory accessibility is similar to that of Hadestown

Act I:

  • soft pulse of bulbs on the very sides of the theater during the opening song

  • things are a bit hazy when house first appears, more so (briefly) when they open the door with small spill into the front stalls. This dissipates when house turns.

  • some screaming as the girls explore the stairs

  • bang after everyone goes inside except Satsuki, with some light creaking

  • thing get a bit loud (more a sudden shift in volume than anything) as Mae falls center during the creature chase

  • very hazy/smoky as the trees come in, but no spill

  • rumble when the curtain comes down, then a slight bang of lights switching on quickly

  • Totoro himself is very rumbly which can have a bit of visceral quality

  • smoke gets a little stronger after curtain comes down, but then dissipates quickly

  • some haze spills into the front stalls after the plane is introduced

  • thunder & single downlight flash after ”take your seats girls” and some light pulsing, but it’s not strobey or flashy at all. Lasts ~15 sec

  • increasing smoke after bus enters, but no spill

  • loud boom after Totoro jumps and then a quick flash

  • two flashlights over audience that are the eyes of the Cat Bus. This is a thing every time the Bus appears, it will not be noted again.

Act II:

  • quick backlights on audience when Mei is center stage after the narrator exits post phone call - a few moments of quick lights coming on but not flashy

  • sow white wash over the stalls when the tree comes down (this is accidental, it’s just a backlight that the set comes in front of on its way down), as well as smoke but without any spill

  • quick backlights on audience when Mei is center stage after the narrator exits post phone call - a few moments of quick lights coming on but not flashy

  • sow white wash over the stalls when the tree comes down (this is accidental, it’s just a backlight that the set comes in front of on its way down), as well as smoke but without any spill

Content Advisory

  • some medical/sickness/hospital imagery - it is strongly implied that the illness is tuberculosis