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LOOK: 'Spirited Away' theatrical adaptation set photos depict memorable scenes from animated classic

Published Mar 05, 2022 6:46 pm

Set photos of the theatrical adaptation of Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away are out, giving a glimpse of memorable scenes from Hayao Miyazaki's beloved animated classic.

Toho Co., the studio behind the adaptation, shared the photos on Facebook.

The uploaded photos include the scene where the protagonist Chihiro is being comforted by the character Haku in a field of flowers, which are depicted by actors adorned with blossoms.

Photos from Toby Olié/Toho Stage (left), Studio Ghibli (right)

The iconic scene between Chihiro and the character No-Face as they ride the Sea Train is also shown.

Photos from Toby Olié/Toho Stage (left), Studio Ghibli (right)

Toby Olié, puppetry designer and director, also shared more photos on his website and social media accounts.

"Adapting the limitless imagination of Hayao Miyazaki’s iconic animation for the stage," Olié wrote, "was both a monumental joy & challenge."

His post includes a look into the multi-armed character Kamaji.

Photos from Toby Olié/Toho Stage (left), Studio Ghibli (right)

In another tweet, he thanked followers for "all the kinds words, likes & shares of my previous tweet."

"I’m so happy people are liking our interpretations of such well loved characters," he said.

The show is being staged across Japan, starting at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo in February and March. Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo and Nagoya will follow between April and July.

Toho Co. also hopes for the production to see performances in Asia and Europe.

Spirited Away tells the story of Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl who's heading to her family’s new home, only to be transported into the realm of supernatural beings. Chihiro faces various challenges as she returns to the human world.

It won Best Animated Feature Film at the 2003 Academy Awards, and is the first and only hand-drawn, non-American feature to ever get the title.

For 19 years, it was Japan's highest-grossing film in its box-office history with a lifetime gross sales of at least 30 billion yen (over P13 billion) until December 2020, when it was surpassed by Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train.

The stage adaptation is helmed by Tony- and Olivier-winning English director John Caird, who also took the reins in Les Miserablés and The Life of Nicholas Nickleby.