The Ocean at the End of the Lane Theatre Review

I was invited to the press night of ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane show’ at London’s New Wimbledon Theatre. Running until 15th April at New Wimbledon Theatre in London before continuing their UK Tour into October 2023. From the imagination of Neil Gaiman, best-selling author of Coraline, Good Omens and The Sandman comes National Theatre’s major new stage adaptation of The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

AD | I have been or could be compensated if you click on a link in this post via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.

So what is The Ocean at the End of the Lane show all about? Find out everything you need to know about the show and UK tour!

The Story

This five-star spectacular is a thrilling adventure of fantasy, myth and friendship, taking audiences on an epic journey to a childhood once forgotten and the darkness that lurks at the very edge of it.

Returning to his childhood home, a man finds himself standing beside the pond of the old Sussex farmhouse where he used to play. He is transported back to his 12th birthday when his remarkable friend Lettie claimed it wasn’t a pond, but an ocean, a place where everything is possible… Plunged into a magical world, their survival depends on their ability to reckon with ancient forces that threaten to destroy everything around them.

The Show

Set amongst an eerie forest back drop, an exciting adventure unfolded. A man returns to a place he used to play as a young boy, we go back in his memories to the day of his 12th Birthday. A day of trauma for the young boy, but he meets a young girl called Lettie, who takes him under her wing. They go on a journey of friendship and fantasy, but be prepared for what is lurking out there. Their survival depends on their new friendship to prevent everything being destroyed around them.

One of my favourite scenes during the show, was with Charlie brooks (who always plays the BEST villains), she entered and disappeared from doors that randomly appeared on stage, the stage would go black and then she would suddenly and creepily appear in a different spot. The magic and illusion was brilliantly done throughout. Complemented by the choreography and music, this made for an impactful and powerful experience. The whole atmosphere of the show was quite unworldly, something I’ve not experienced at the Theatre before.

In complete contrast I loved the scene with Boy and Lettie as they plunged into the The Ocean and using puppetry, we saw them swimming and playing underwater whilst glowing amongst the darkness. This scene was both beautiful and magical.

The show was dramatic and atmosphere with loud pumping music that you could feel though the floor and Lettie’s battle scenes were truly amazing. I literally held my breath throughout!

The ocean at the end of the lane theatre show in london
Photography: (c) Brinkhoff-Moegenburg
the ocean at the end of the lane stage

The puppets at The ocean at the end of the lane london tour
Photography: (c) Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

My thoughts on the show

This is completely different from anything I’ve seen. I loved the drama and action… it was quieter in some parts with lots of dialogue but for me the high energy action scenes were simply epic. I am a massive Sci-fi fan and I felt The Ocean at End of the Lane definitely reminded me of ‘Stranger Things’ in parts… even the music was pretty similar, so I would imagine this show would appeal to fans of the popular TV show. This was an exciting, high energy theatre production filled with wonder and imagination. It was dark, eerie and atmospheric in places and then the stage came to life in monster battle scenes. You could feel the music vibrating through you which added to the drama of the show. I found The Ocean at the End of the Lane absolutely fascinating, I just loved the magic and mystery!

Everything you need to know to book tickets for The Ocean at the End of the Lane:

Meet The Cast & Team
  • Charlie Brooks (Ursula), Daniel Cornish (alternate Boy),
  • Trevor Fox (Dad), Emma-Jane Goodwin (understudy), Paolo Guidi (ensemble), Millie Hikasa
  • (Lettie Hempstock), Lewis Howard (understudy), Kemi-Bo Jacobs (Ginnie Hempstock),
  • Jasmeen James (understudy), Ronnie Lee (ensemble), Aimee McGoldrick (ensemble), Laurie
  • Ogden (Sis), Keir Ogilvy (Boy), Domonic Ramsden (ensemble), Joe Rawlinson-Hunt
  • (understudy), Risha Silvera (understudy) and Finty Williams (Old Mrs Hempstock).
Production Team
  • Author, Neil Gaiman 
  • Adaptor, Joel Horwood ,
  • Director, Katy Rudd 
  • Set Designer, Fly Davis
  • Costume and Puppet Designer, Samuel Wyer 
  • Movement Director, Steven Hoggett 
  • Composer, Jherek Bischoff 
  • Lighting Designer, Paule Constable 
  • Sound Designer, Ian Dickinson for Autograph 
  • Magic and Illusions Director and Designer, Jamie Harrison 
  • Puppetry, Finn Caldwell 
  • Casting Director, Naomi Downham 
  • Associate Director, Sophie Dillon Moniram 
  • Associate Set Designer and Draftsperson, Tim Blazdell 
  • Associate Movement Director, Jess Williams 
  • Lighting Associate, Rob Casey for Ammonite 
  • Lighting Associate and LX Programmer, Tom Turner
  • Sound Associate, Christopher Reid 
  • Magic and Illusions Associate, John Bulleid 
  • Associate Puppetry Director, Gareth Aled 
  • Voice and Dialect Coach, Kate Godfrey 
  • Resident Director, Eleri B. Jones 
  • Flying Effects, John Maddox for Suspended Illusions Ltd. 
Tour Dates and to book:
  • New Wimbledon Theatre – Until 15 April 2023 – Book tickets
  • Edinburgh Festival Theatre – 18 — 22 April 2023 – Book tickets
  • Liverpool Empire – 2 — 6 May 2023 – Book tickets
  • Sheffield Lyceum Theatre – 9 — 20 May 2023 – Book tickets
  • The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham – 23 — 27 May 2023 – Book tickets
  • Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff – 30 May — 3 June 2023 – Book tickets
  • Nottingham Theatre Royal – 6 — 17 June 2023 – Book tickets
  • New Theatre Oxford – 20 — 24 June 2023 – Book tickets
  • Milton Keynes Theatre – 27 June — 1 July 2023 – Book tickets
  • Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – 4 — 8 July 2023 –Book tickets
  • Newcastle Theatre Royal – 11 — 22 July 2023 – Book tickets
  • Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury – 25 — 29 July 2023 – Book tickets
  • Cliffs Pavilion, Southend – 8 — 12 August 2023 – Book tickets
  • Bristol Hippodrome – 15 — 19 August 2023 – Book tickets
  • His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen – 22 — 26 August 2023 – Book tickets
  • King’s Theatre, Glasgow – 29 August — 2 September 2023 – Book tickets
  • Norwich Theatre Royal – 5 — 9 September 2023 – Book tickets
  • Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent – 12 — 16 September 2023 – Book tickets
  • Hall for Cornwall, Truro – 19 — 23 September 2023 – Book tickets
  • Wolverhampton Grand Theatre – 26 — 30 September 2023 – Book tickets
  • The Lowry, Salford – 4 — 7 October 2023 – Book tickets
The ocean at the end of the road, charlie brooks
Photography: (c) Brinkhoff-Moegenburg
What age is suitable for the show?

Age guidance: 12+ yrs. This production contains the following physical effects; high intensity lighting and strobe, haze and smoke, pyrotechnics, loud sound, and blackouts. The production contains moments that some people may find frightening, including references to death. We always recommend individual discretion alongside the age guidance.

What is the expected running time?

Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including an interval.

Warnings:

This production contains the following physical effects; high intensity lighting and strobe, haze and smoke, pyrotechnics, loud sound, and blackouts. The production contains moments that some people may find frightening, including references to death.

I was invited to the press night of The Ocean at the end of the Lane but all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

Thank you for reading ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane Show Review’

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.