The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Festival Theatre

If it’s the Stranger Things style poster that caught your attention or simply the usual high standard that comes with productions by the National Theatre one thing is to be sure you will not be disappointed when going to see the spooky phenomena that is The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

Based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman (also known for Coraline, Stardust, Good Omens and many more), you are bound to expect to be taken on a journey through the strange and wonderful but at times frightening. The National Theatre have managed to take Gaiman’s story of a young lad both coming to terms with the suicide of their family lodger due to money as well as learning to deal with the monsters (or should I say flees) he had no idea where lurking at the edges of his world and stamp it onto the stage in one of the most visually exciting productions I’ve personally seen in a while.

Prepare to be taken on an emotional journey that mixes issues of the real world with the excitement of alien fantasy; a tale of new friends, magical beings and horrors that will send shivers up your spine.

The creative side of this production is immaculate, starting us with an eerie woodland scene, woven from individual branches rather than the usual heavy trunk to branches ratio. Not only does this allow the lighting to shine through these branches for cool visual effect but it immediately provides a more subtle air of uneasiness for the arriving audience, giving them something that should feel normal (trees) but feels off due to the lack of trunk and snaking branches.  This backdrop remains the only consistent piece of set throughout surrounding the very real looking set used throughout as though lurking at the edge of the world just like our flees. Such attention to detail is paid throughout giving the audience plenty to watch and look out for.

The direction in the show is flawless with full use of the large stage in a way that looks and feels so natural even when there’s only 1 or 2 cast members on. Scene changes are choreographed to be seen and add to this world of wonder. A wonderful ensemble move set around, working as an unseen force that keeps the show going, they are present in amongst the oblivious main cast, reacting to their movements and yet hiding in the darkness around.  They also doubt as various creatures and set, with fantastic physical theatre and movement.

Keir Ogilvy leads the show as Boy taking us and the characters emotional and terrifying adventure. He has some particularly difficult scenes but smashes through them all with ease making us really built an attachment to boy throughout.  Millie Hikasa plays the mysterious yet lovable Lettie Hempstock, a know it all with a lot of charisma and a big heart. Her energy is infectious making her a character favourite from the very beginning.

One cannot of course forget the perfect villain that is Ursula played by Charlie Brooks. It takes a special skill to be able to play the perfect suburban housewife type at the same time as a conniving evil flee.

Overall, I cannot find a single fault in this show, it’s an easy 5 stars from start to finish. I would highly recommend to anyone to buy a ticket especially if you are into programs such as Stranger Things and horror. It should be noted that this show does contain a particularly nasty scene reflecting domestic abuse as well and themes of loss, and emotional neglect. I would also not recommend the show to very young viewers are there are some genuinely scary scenes. That being said this is theatre at its finest.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane plays at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh until 22^nd April. https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on

Reviewer: Beth Eltringham

Reviewed: 18^th April 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★