| The Ocean at the End of the Lane | |
|---|---|
 Poster for the National Theatre production, illustrated by Nico Delort | |
| Written by | Neil Gaiman (novel) Joel Horwood (play) |
| Date premiered | 11 December 2019 |
| Place premiered | Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre, London |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy Drama |
The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a 2019 play based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman and adapted for the stage by Joel Horwood.
Production history
World premiere: National Theatre, London (2019–2020)
The play made its world premiere in the Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre, London with previews beginning on 3 December 2019 (opening night 11 December) running until 25 January 2020. The production is directed by Katy Rudd, set designed by Fly Davis, costume and puppet design by Samuel Wyer, movement direction by Steven Hoggett and composed by Jherek Bischoff
The production received 3 nominations at the 2020 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Play, Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Josie Walker and won the award for Best Lighting for Paule Constable.
West End (2021–2022)
Following the success at the National, the production was announced to transfer to the Duke of York's Theatre in London's West End in autumn 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the transfer was postponed until 23 October 2021 and ran until 14 May 2022. Casting was unveiled in September 2021.
UK and Ireland tour and West End revival (2022-2023)
The production toured the UK and Ireland beginning at The Lowry, Salford on 12 December 2022 until October 2023. Casting was unveiled in October 2022.
The production returned to London's West End at the Noël Coward Theatre for a limited run from 11 October to 25 November 2023 featuring the cast from the tour.
Cast and characters
| Character | National Theatre | West End | UK and Ireland Tour | West End Revival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Boy | Samuel Blenkin | James Bamford | Keir Ogilvy | |
| Boy (Alternate) | — | Daniel Cornish | ||
| Lettie Hempstock | Marli Siu | Nia Towle | Millie Hikasa | |
| Ginnie Hempstock | Carlyss Peer | Siubhan Harrison | Kemi-Bo Jacobs | |
| Old Mrs Hempstock | Josie Walker | Penny Layden | Finty Williams | |
| Sis / Ensemble | Jade Croot | Grace Hogg-Robinson | Laurie Ogden | |
| Ursula / Skarthach | Pippa Nixon | Laura Rogers | Charlie Brooks | |
| Dad | Justin Salinger | Nicolas Tennant | Trevor Fox | |
| Lodger / Ensemble | Jeff D'Sangalang | Ronnie Lee | ||
| Ensemble | Fred Davis Owain Gwynn Jess Williams |
Ruby Ablett Emma Bown Charlie Cameron Kieran Garland Miranda Heath Tom Mackley Charleen Qwaye Peter Twose |
Emma-Jane Goodwin Paolo Guidi Lewis Howard Aimee McGoldrick Domonic Ramsden Joe Rawlinson-Hunt Risha Silvera Jasmeen James | |
Reception
The play received five star reviews from The Telegraph, Sunday Times, WhatsOnStage, Gay Times and SFX Magazine.
Awards and nominations
Original London production
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best New Play | Nominated | |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Josie Walker | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design | Paule Constable | Won | ||
References
- "Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane stage adaptation to transfer to the West End | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- "The Ocean at the End of the Lane moves West End transfer to autumn 2021 | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
- Thomas, Sophie (2021-09-13). "'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' announces full casting and extension". London Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
- "CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE TOUR OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE'S PRODUCTION OF THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE THAT LAUNCHES AT THE LOWRY IN DECEMBER". The Lowry. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- "{post_title} at the Noël Coward Theatre - {site_name}". www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- "The Ocean at the End of the Lane | Official Show Website". oceanonstage.com/. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- "The Ocean at the End of the Lane | Official Show Website". oceanonstage.com/. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- "{post_title} at the Noël Coward Theatre - {site_name}". www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- Cavendish, Dominic (2019-12-12). "The Ocean at the End of the Lane, National Theatre, review: is this the new Curious Incident?". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
- "Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane (National Theatre) | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
- "NT's The Ocean at the End of the Lane is theatrical magic at its best - review". Gay Times. 2020-01-02. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
- "Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard - Theatre's Biggest Night". Olivier Awards. Retrieved 2021-01-18.