Theatre Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Bristol Hippodrome

Summary

Rating: ★★★★

Running Dates: 16th-19th August 2023

Where to see it: Bristol Hippodrome 

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval)

Keywords: Dark, Fantasy, Theatre

Review

Dive headfirst into the enchanting world of Neil Gaiman’s mind through ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ play, where boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurred to create an extraordinary journey. 

‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ is based  on Neil Gaiman’s novel. A novel that transports us into the life of a man who revisits his childhood home, reflecting on his 12th birthday when his friend Lettie welcomes him into the realm of limitless possibilities. 

The captivating set design takes the audience into a mesmerising world, feature an eerie forest surrounded by trees, and an underwater scene achieved through remarkable interplay of fabrics and lighting that mimics the currents. 

Almost immediately, the narrative drifts back in time to the days when the protagonist was a young boy. Keir Ogilby’s portrayal of Boy delivers an exceptional performance, guiding us through his voyage of self-discovery. The chemistry between Boy and Lettie is incredibly strong, their friendship flourishing as the play unfolds, forging a connection that resonates with the audience. 

The trio of Hempstock characters, embodied by Millie Hikasa (Lettie), Kemi-Bo Jacobs (Mrs Hempstock) and Emma-Jane Goodwin(Old Mrs Hempstock), infuse the play with a magical aura, mirroring the essence of the novel.

The play’s strengths lie in its ability to convey the poetic essence of the novel through its language, crafting a dreamlike ambience for the audience to immerse themselves in. Although this lends to the production having an enchanting quality, it occasionally results in a slow pace. These moments are few and far between. 

It would be unjust not to commend the exceptional performance by Charlie Brooks as Ursula/Skarthach. Charlie portrays a ‘villain’, changing between a personable and relatable friendly face when interacting with Dad and Sis, and a monstrous demeanour in her encounters with Boy. Coupled with the mind-bending stage effects, this portrayal conjures reminiscences of the captivating atmosphere in ‘Stranger Things’ adding an enjoyable layer to the experience. 

‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ is an engrossing adult fantasy play, women with poignant messages that resonate. A thoroughly enjoyable spectacle that I would recommend to all adults looking for an immersive experience.

Standout Moment: The big ‘fight’ scene (I can’t be more specific as I would hate to give anything away!) 

See if: You would enjoy a dark fantasy genre that takes you into another world 

Last Impression: I’m looking forward to reading the book now! 

Written by Francesca Hepburn