WHAT: Ocean at the End of the Lane
WHEN: 23rd October – 14th May, 2022, Touring 12th December, 2022 – September, 2023
WHERE: Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Ln, London WC2N 4BG
PRICE: £20 – £49.50
OUTDOORS: No
OUR RATING: Do It!
Now that London has reopened in the wake of the COVID pandemic, Storefront City has had the pleasure of returning to the theatre scene. We have a few reviews up our sleeve to share with you over the next few weeks, but the most awe-inspiring one of them all has been the National Theatre transfer of The Ocean at the End of the Lane to the Duke of York’s Theatre.
In our view, this tour de force production is by far the most impressive piece of spectacle theatre in London since Punchdrunk’s The Drowned Man. Based on Neil Gaiman’s 2013 novel, this work tells the story of a man who returns to his childhood home in Sussex and is transported back in time to his 12th birthday, a time when he makes a best friend named Lettie who introduces him to a magical world threatened by ancient forces. When these forces break through the protective barrier to their world, the safety of the boy’s family is put in jeopardy, and his survival depends on Lettie, her magical family, and the boy’s love for his family.
Featuring amazing puppetry, beautiful choreography, mind-boggling magic design, and haunting set, lighting and sound design that gave us major Stranger Things feels, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a must-see story about family, memory, growing up, and imagination.
To be honest, summing up this play is a difficult feat, and we also don’t want to ruin any surprises, since this performance is chock full of them. Every single element of this play was jaw-dropping, but the amazing aesthetic choices and the immersive design were only so strong because of the emotionally powerful strength of the story itself and the brilliance of the cast. James Banford performs stunningly as Boy, the main character of the play, but the supporting cast of characters were equally impressive, especially Nia Towle as Lettie, Nicolas Tennant as Dad, and Laura Rogers as Ursula.
Final Thoughts: We’ve already recommended this show to a few friends, loving every time they message us during intermission with expletives and all caps. It’s a play that pulls at your heartstrings but is also a feast for your ears and eyes and really makes your imagination run wild.
P.S.: For more theatrical wonder, why not check out The Haunting of Susan A.
