First published in 2013, Neil Gaiman’s best selling novel The Ocean at the End of the Lane was transported onto the stage of the National Theatre in 2019. It went on to have a successful West End run before embarking on a UK & Ireland tour. For its final stop, this fantasy story returns to London for a seven-week run at the Noël Coward Theatre where it is playing until 25 November 2023.
Anyone familiar with Neil Gaiman’s work (The Sandman and Good Omens TV series and novels Stardust and Coraline) will know what to expect from this fantasy adventure. A story of myth and friendship, set in the 1980’s, with a spine chilling musical score (and some cleverly intertwined Abba). Boy returns to the ocean at the end of the lane where he once played with friend Lettie. On the verge of divorce, he has come to seek familiarity and comfort with his childhood memories but is reminded of a dark past, when the darkness of the underworld found its way back into the world and nearly destroyed it all.
Katy Rudd brilliantly directs this stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s work blending magic with memory in a tour-de-force of storytelling. Keir Ogilvy (Boy) and Millie Hikasa (Lettie Hempstock) lead the 17-strong ensemble cast the show as the childhood friends, bring youthful energy and fun to this sinister story. Trevor Fox (Dad) is very likable and warm and Finty Williams (Old Mrs Hempstock) gives a strong and powerful performance as our gandalf-esq leader. Charlie Brooks (Ursula) draws from her Janine Butcher days in Eastenders to play the manipulative force of evil, using people’s weaknesses against them to get what she wants. She may not appear until near the end of act 1 but she certainly makes her presence known when she enters the stage.
As you would expect from a National Theatre production, The Ocean and the End of the Lane has glorious lighting design (Paule Constable), movement (Steven Hoggett) reminiscent of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and brilliant story telling. There are so many wow factors and clever use of body-doubles and illusion.
It may have taken me more than four years to get around to seeing this show but I am so glad I did. It’s only on for a few more weeks and so if you haven’t seen it yet, get booking!
Reviewed by West End Wilma
