REVIEW: The Ocean at the End of the Lane at The Alexandra Birmingham

Eerie, mystifying and visually spectacular! The acclaimed National Theatre production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane exudes the bizarre and wonderful; a beautiful combination of story-telling, comedy and dark twists.

Based on the 2013 Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, the Ocean at the End of the Lane is a tale of magic, memory, loss and survival. Based on the memory of a 12-year-old boy, the story follows his journey of friendship with a young girl – a magical and courageous being. After the loss of the young boy’s lodger, a flea on the edge of their world tries to creep its way in. From here, the child’s world crashes down upon him; the flea taking over every aspect of his life. The only person he can turn to are his new friend Lettie and her kooky mother and grandmother. Together, they plot to save his family from the manipulation of the flea named Ursula – a heroic attempt with a touch of Gaiman’s renowned book and film ‘Coraline.’

REVIEW: The Ocean At The End Of The Lane at The New Wimbledon Theatre

On an ocean of possibilities hidden inside a duck pond, a world of possibilities hidden inside the seemingly impossible. A boy (Keir Ogilvy) revisits the very pond where he and his old friend Lettie Hempstock (Millie Hikasa) many years ago discovered the seemingly impossible and the wonders and horrors it possessed. Based on Neil Gaiman’s novel of the same name, the National Theatre production is brought to life once again. 

Set designer Fly Davis immediately captures the audience's attention with an incredibly detailed garden/forest backdrop. Bedecked with trees and vines the scene is immediately set and we expect to find ourselves transported through a magical and enchanted story.