The Hayao Miyazaki film doesn’t have huge amounts to do with science, nor does a stage adaptation of it at the London Coliseum. But the latter left me struck that this story of a fantastic parallel world does explore our connection with nature, language and our sense of self. It is a bit of a stretch, but you could even say it considers the role of the microbiome when the show’s hero, Chihiro (pictured), starts to fade away because her microbiome isn’t adapted to the new parallel world.
Miyazaki has always been concerned with ecology, and he shows what happens when rivers become polluted. As one character puts it: “Ugh, humans stink!”
Advertisement
The show is stunningly realised, but most of all, Miyazaki’s extraordinary imagination shines through. If you can’t get a ticket, do catch the film on Netflix.
I am also enjoying Zoë Schlanger’s book , which is almost Miyazaki-like in its storytelling about plant intelligence.
