FOREST FIGURINE
The Royal Shakespeare Company has unveiled the first official image of Basil Twist’s towering Totoro puppet from the award-winning stage adaptation of “My Neighbor Totoro.” The striking artwork captures the iconic bus stop scene where sisters Mei and Satsuki encounter the beloved forest spirit during a rainstorm.
Executive producer Joe Hisaishi and the RSC, collaborating with Nippon TV and Improbable, released the imagery as the production continues its West End run at the Gillian Lynne Theatre through March 2026. The Tom Morton-Smith adaptation of Miyazaki Hayao’s 1988 animated classic broke the Barbican’s single-day box office record and earned six Olivier Awards.
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Victoria Chen stars as Mei alongside Ami Okumura Jones as Satsuki, with Phelim McDermott directing. The production features Joe Hisaishi’s iconic score in new orchestrations, Tom Pye’s production design, and the unique Kazego Puppetry Ensemble. The stage adaptation includes hand-drawn title artwork by Studio Ghibli’s Toshio Suzuki.
SATURDAY SOCCER
Disney+ has secured a three-year deal to stream LaLiga matches in the U.K. and Ireland, beginning Aug. 16. The service will offer live Spanish soccer on Saturday nights as part of standard subscriptions, featuring clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid.
The season opener showcases Valencia CF hosting Real Sociedad at Mestalla Stadium. ESPN will provide production and commentary, with Steve McManaman and Stewart Robson leading the broadcast team alongside Ian Darke and Rob Palmer on play-by-play duties.
Starting October, Disney+ will also become the European home for UEFA Women’s Champions League for five seasons. LaLiga remains the most-followed international football league in the U.K., boosted by high-profile signings including England internationals Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid.
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