National Theatre's The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Review

Based on the award-winning book by Neil Gaiman, adapted for stage by Joel Horwood, and directed by Katy Rudd, this National Theatre production is a story about childhood, about fear, about grief, and about memories.

Returning to his childhood home, a man finds himself standing beside the duck pond of the old farmhouse where he used to play.

He's transported 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 mystical world, their survival depends on their ability to reckon with ancient forces that threaten to destroy everything around them.

Having not read any of the Neil Gaiman novels, I’m not qualified to say whether The Ocean at the End of the Lane transfers to the stage well or not, but as a play this is a gripping tale that keeps you fully invested, from the beginning to the end.

And at times, the emotion of it all feels very, very real!

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The cast - led by Keir Ogilvy as Boy and Millie Hikasa as Lettie - are absolutely outstanding, and they all deserve a special mention, Charlie Brooks as Ursula, Trevor Fox as Dad, Laurie Ogden as Sis, Kemi-Bo Jacobs as Ginnie, and Finty Williams as Old Mrs Hempstock.

The set design, by Fly Davis, is stunning, it has a dark but magical feel to it that leaves you in awe, and the ensemble, costumes, puppetry, sound and lighting add a little something extra to this impressive show.

For me, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a little reminiscent of the Stranger Things series, though obviously written before the Netflix show aired.

It’s a powerful production of storytelling at its very best, and it takes you on a journey you will never forget - nor will you want to!

The Ocean at the End of the Lane runs until Saturday. Tickets are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.