John Caird’s acclaimed stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s beloved animated film Spirited Away is now available for streaming on Prime Video, marking a new chapter for this internationally celebrated story. First brought to the stage in Japan in 2022 and later premiering in Europe in 2024, Spirited Away: Live on Stage is an intricate theatrical recreation of the original 2001 film. The production utilises elaborate sets, sophisticated puppetry, and interpretive dance to translate Hayao Miyazaki’s richly hand-crafted animation into a vibrant live performance. It has been met with enthusiastic audience reception, boasting a remarkable 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, it earned the Best New Play award at the 25th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards held in February 2025, further cementing its artistic success.

John Caird, the director behind the adaptation, is no stranger to major theatrical productions, having previously helmed classics such as Les Misérables and Nicholas Nickleby. Speaking about his motivation, Caird highlighted the universal themes in Spirited Away that inspired his extensive creative efforts, noting its messages about environmental stewardship, reverence for nature, and the power of hope and goodness within humanity. Caird has described dedicating over a thousand hours to perfecting the stage version, aiming to faithfully capture the spirit of Miyazaki’s film while making it resonate in a live setting. Producer Toshio Suzuki expressed admiration for Caird’s vision, stating that both he and Miyazaki "loved" the director’s approach and felt confident entrusting him with the adaptation of such a treasured work.

Spirited Away originally premiered as an animated film in 2001 to critical and commercial acclaim, amassing over 30.8 billion yen (approximately $208 million) at the box office. A re-release in 2020 pushed the domestic total to 31.68 billion yen, holding its place as Japan’s highest-grossing film for 19 years until it was surpassed by Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train in 2020.

This live adaptation is part of a broader trend of Studio Ghibli films being transformed into stage productions. For instance, My Neighbor Totoro experienced a highly successful theatrical run produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, beginning its West End engagement in March 2025 after smashing box office records during earlier runs in 2022 and 2023-24. The adaptation has won numerous awards, including six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards. The production featured innovative puppetry, bringing Totoro to life through the work of sculptor Basil Twist and included an orchestral reimagining of Joe Hisaishi’s music.

Other Studio Ghibli works like Princess Mononoke and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind have also found new life on stage, the former seeing runs in London and Tokyo in the early 2010s and the latter becoming a kabuki adaptation in 2019.

In Spirited Away: Live on Stage, actresses Mone Kamishiraishi and Kanna Hashimoto have notably portrayed the protagonist Chihiro, with both performances highly praised for their emotional depth and connection to the character’s journey. The production’s elaborate design and artistry continue to be applauded for bringing the magical world and its creatures vividly to life beyond the screen, offering audiences a fresh way to experience Miyazaki’s timeless tale.

With the stage version now streaming, Spirited Away reaches an even wider audience, inviting viewers to rediscover a beloved story through the compelling art of live theatre. Audiences and fans of Studio Ghibli’s enchanting worlds can now engage with this celebrated narrative in a dynamic format that honours its origins while expanding its cultural impact.

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Source: Noah Wire Services