The acclaimed stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece 'Spirited Away' has officially opened in Seoul, bringing the beloved animated film to life through innovative theatrical techniques. The production, which premiered at the Seoul Arts Center, marks the latest stop on an international journey that began in Japan in 2022 and included acclaimed runs in London and Shanghai. Veteran director John Caird, known for his work on 'Les Misérables,' leads the production alongside a talented cast featuring Rina Kawaei, Mone Kamishiraishi, and Mari Natsuki. The adaptation represents one of the most ambitious attempts to translate Miyazaki's fantastical animated world into a live performance format.
Since its release over two decades ago, 'Spirited Away' has captivated audiences worldwide, earning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003 and building a devoted fanbase in Korea. The coming-of-age story follows Chihiro, a young girl who becomes trapped in a mystical realm of gods and spirits and must navigate its complex rules to survive and rescue her parents. The film is infused with elements of Shinto belief, a polytheistic and animistic religion, as well as traditional Japanese bathhouse culture. For director John Caird, who serves as honorary associate director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, the project presented unique challenges unlike anything in his distinguished career, which includes Tony and Olivier Award-winning productions. Caird recalls beginning each rehearsal by acknowledging the day's impossible task, reflecting the monumental difficulty of translating Miyazaki's visually rich universe to the stage.
Rather than depending on digital effects and spectacle, the stage adaptation embraces analog theatrical traditions to recreate the film's magic. Production designer Jon Bausor modeled the iconic bathhouse setting on a traditional Japanese Noh stage, creating a rotating structure that reveals multiple perspectives and allows for seamless scene transitions. This innovative approach enables approximately ninety percent of the story to unfold within a single, credible location. The production heavily utilizes puppetry and practical effects to portray the film's diverse cast of creatures and spirits, demanding heightened imagination from both performers and audience members. Caird emphasizes that this theatrical approach requires active participation from viewers to believe in the unfolding magic.
The production's development coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing creative teams to collaborate across continents through video conferencing. All collaborators connected remotely from around the world, with designers in London and a composer in Chicago joining rehearsals via Zoom, turning a potential obstacle into an unexpected advantage. Caird noted that if the team could successfully create art through global computer collaboration, then staging fantastical elements like a girl flying on a dragon's back seemed more achievable. The musical component features live orchestral performances by an eleven-member ensemble playing Joe Hisaishi's beloved score, rearranged to accommodate theater's more contemplative pacing. Composer Brad Haak contributed two original songs designed to feel like natural working or resting melodies that characters might hum, with Caird explaining that live music can heighten emotions and create dramatic atmospheres in ways recorded music cannot.
A particularly special element of the production is the casting of Mari Natsuki as the formidable witch Yubaba, the bathhouse proprietor. Natsuki originally voiced the character in the 2003 animated film, and now brings her physical performance to the stage role, creating a direct link between the movie and its theatrical adaptation. This casting choice adds authenticity and emotional resonance for longtime fans of the film. The Seoul run continues through March 22, with Korean subtitles provided for all performances, making the production accessible to local audiences who have cherished Miyazaki's work for generations.
The Seoul engagement represents another milestone in 'Spirited Away's' enduring cultural legacy, demonstrating the story's universal appeal across different mediums and cultures. The production invites Korean audiences to experience Miyazaki's enchanted universe through a fresh lens while honoring the original film's spirit. By combining traditional Japanese theatrical elements with contemporary stagecraft and live music, the adaptation offers a unique interpretation that stands as both tribute and reinvention. Theatergoers can expect a visually stunning and emotionally rich experience that tests the boundaries of imagination while celebrating the power of live performance to bring animated dreams to life.
