Based on the 2013 novel by Neil Gaiman, the National Theatre’s new stage adaptation of The Ocean at the end of the Lane is a story of fantasy and friendship. A man returns to his hometown and begins recollecting childhood memories of his friend Lettie and the magical adventures they went on.
I must admit I was a little apprehensive about this adaptation; from my recollection of Gaiman’s book read years ago it was full of momentum and big ideas, but Joel Horwood does a spectacular job in transporting the audience to a new dimension, aided by fantastic direction by Katy Rudd and an incredible cast who work in unity to hold the audience spellbound.
Led by Leicesters own Daniel Cornish as the unnamed Boy we meet the mysterious Hempstock women, matriarch Old Mrs Hempstock (Finty Williams), mother Ginnie (Kemi-Bo Jacobs) , and joyfully eccentric Lettie (Millie Hikasa), who on the surface appears to be a normal teenage girl but is later revealed to be much more. The trio are energising in the power and strength they portray and a joy to watch in their closeknit familial relationship.
Equally powerful is Charlie Brooks of Eastenders fame as Ursula, savouring the sickly sinisterness of her role, assisted by Jamie Harrison’s magnificent magic. The awe of those special effects will linger with you for days.
Laurie Ogden in the role of Sis balances the fine line between emotional distress and petulant child while Trevor Fox brings some real heartfelt emotion as Boy’s father, both actors letting the grief their characters experience simmer below the surface.
Fly Davis’ set background is deceptively simple, bare branches lining the edges of the stage, but props – almost invisibly rolled in – transform the stage with impressive details such as steam coming off the bath.
Combined with Paule Constable’s light design in which the darkness plays a big a role as the lights, and the impact of Ian Dickinson’s soundscapes, the set comes to life and feels like a much larger, scarier place.
Nameless and faceless, the ensemble do just as much for the production thanks to Steven Hoggett’s movement direction that transforms the group into a forest before your eyes and offers fight and action sequences to rival any blockbuster action. Samuel Wyer’s costume and puppetry design and Finn Caldwell’s puppetry also deserves a mention, hypnotic fluidity creating terrifying monsters and the peaceful ocean in equal measure.
Neil Gaiman’s storytelling is immaculate and it’s spectacular to see that translate to the stage so well. You can fully expect this artistry to bring you to tears and haunt your dreams.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane is at The Curve, Leicester until 11th February 2023, when it continues the UK tour. Purhcase tickets here,
https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane/
*****
Katie Reviews 