Ocean At The End Of The Lane - NT/Duke of York’s/Tour/Noel C

[jamb0r]

Got lucky in Friday Rush and went last night with pretty low expectations based on some of the comments on here, but I really loved this! The stage magic was outstanding, great performances all round and I was gripped from start to finish.

[QueerTheatre]

I was there last night too and adored it, properly magical and heartfelt. So glad I caught it.

[vernongersh]

Absolutely lobed this show. Wasn't familiar with Neil Gaimen with the exception of the magical film Coraline. Aprreciated this epic creative highly entertaining production. and yes, there were a few times I was scared.
Will the show have a life after NT?

[MrBraithwaite]

This seems to be a lot like the book...some people don't get it (like me), most people love it. Don't think this will have a life after the NT...this will not be on NTLive though, so who knows.

[zackpolanski]

I really loved this.

I also really loved Curious Dog of the Nighttime which I saw in it's original home years ago too.

I don't think they're particularly comparable, though. This felt inherently more theatrical, cheeky and more like an episode of Doctor Who for the stage.

The performances were all captivating, the stage 'magic' was beautiful to see and the whole piece kept up a really good pace.

I hope it's got life after the National as I think this could get young people hooked into theatre for quite a while!

[Rory]

Transferring to the Duke of York's 31st Oct - 6 Feb

[jampot]

Feb 18, 2020 23:18:56 GMT Rory said:

Transferring to the Duke of York's 31st Oct - 6 Feb

Cool...Will they have to change the staging ?

[hara]

I've been a huge Gaiman fan since my first year of uni so I naturally had to see this and boy I wasn't disappointed. I've never seen anything quite like it, although I think it would have been smarter of the National to have it in Lylleton or Olivier to allow for more effects on stage. I guess they weren't sure how big the turnout would be. I'm so glad it's getting extended and transferred as well, I hope this creates opportunities for more Gaiman adaptations on stage!

[Deleted]

Feb 29, 2020 12:33:40 GMT hara said:

I've been a huge Gaiman fan since my first year of uni so I naturally had to see this and boy I wasn't disappointed. I've never seen anything quite like it, although I think it would have been smarter of the National to have it in Lylleton or Olivier to allow for more effects on stage. I guess they weren't sure how big the turnout would be. I'm so glad it's getting extended and transferred as well, I hope this creates opportunities for more Gaiman adaptations on stage!

Tim Minchin said in an interview that he's had the idea of Stardust as a musical which could be great if it ever happens. Also I've not read or seen The Ocean at the End of the Lane but it does look great! May have to catch it on the West End.

[eua78]

I heard rumours of a UK tour for this, does anyone know if this is true ?
Or is it just playing west end 

[robertb213]

Being extended to 14th May 2022.

I'm there reviewing for Press Night tonight 😁

[Boob]

I absolutely loved this at the NT. Curious to know how it has transferred with a new cast.

[robertb213]

Loved it. These were my thoughts if anyone's bored... 😁

www.westendwilma.com/review-the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane-duke-of-yorks-theatre-london-2021/

[edi]

Visually stunning, worth seeing just for the magic of the scenery, sound and lights and clever effects.

Storywise, I am not familiar with the book and author so I had my hopes up for a real dark story until the break. Specifically the storyline just before the break was hinting something real sinister. However second part crushed my hopes. I specifically got bored with the last 10 mins.

Still recommend it.

[rosscoe]

Still not entirely sure what that was about , by the time intermission came I was lost completely. The second act thankfully was quicker but still left so many unanswered questions. Am I glad I saw it, of course. Would it have been better to read the source material before hand , listening to the young teenage girl saying that was the best I’ve ever seen just like the book , makes me believe the answer is yes! The staging is brilliantly done, I’m just not sure what I watched.

[v2david]

Nov 15, 2021 6:49:37 GMT rosscoe said:

Still not entirely sure what that was about , by the time intermission came I was lost completely. The second act thankfully was quicker but still left so many unanswered questions. Am I glad I saw it, of course. Would it have been better to read the source material before hand , listening to the young teenage girl saying that was the best I’ve ever seen just like the book , makes me believe the answer is yes! The staging is brilliantly done, I’m just not sure what I watched.

I haven't read the book yet but am seeing this next week. I was thinking of going in blind. I would prefer feeling "WTF". Just hope my kids and wife aren't lost.

[robertb213]

I've been thinking about it for a week and I still don't really know what it was about. I think it's so open to interpretation. All I know is that I really enjoyed it.

[eua78]

Currently waiting for this to start, seems strange that we aren’t allowed photos before the play even starts. Someone tried to post it for their socials and was shouted at for taking a photo.😂

[rosscoe]

A week later still no idea , tried to describe it to someone back home in Australia and couldn’t find the words.

[eua78]

After my last national theatre production of Macbeth my expectations were low but this production went above and beyond.
I thought this was fantastic fun, scary at parts and a few issues for me here and there but overall I loved this. Act one was certainly my favourite, the actors were brilliant and there’s an awesome use of set for a scene with multiple doors(no spoilers😂) the soundtrack gave thrill to scenes and completed the production for me.

Act 2 I didn’t enjoy as much, still great but after the spectacle of act 1 it felt almost deflated. The puppets used were great, and a few certain effects stood out.

I’d certainly watch it again though, I really hope this tours and more people get a chance of seeing this production.
Now comparing it curious incident, I’d say curious incident slightly pips it but if you get a chance definitely get a rush ticket and head to the duke of York.

4/5

[partytentdown]

Does anyone know the running time?

[frosty]

We made our way to Trafalgar Square and had a drink before going to the theatre, just double checked the tickets to confirm the start time and noticed the date was the 28th…NEXT Sunday….doh! At least we didn’t turn up and make a fuss when someone else was sat in our seats, and we still have it to look forward to next week. First time I have ever got the date wrong, silly billy !!!!

[robertb213]

Nov 21, 2021 18:19:23 GMT partytentdown said:

Does anyone know the running time?

About 2 hours 35 including interval 😁

[v2david]

Wasn't sure what to expect from this one, as I hadn't read the source material. It was certainly a very interesting and thought-provoking adventure. The staging, puppetry, atmosphere, and music were amazing. Of note, they are really strict telling everyone to not take pictures before the show starts. I realize they want to "keep the secrets" of the play. But I think they are doing themselves a real disservice because:

(1) There is already ample pictures of what the staging looks like (some even by the official twitter account).

(2) It gives nothing away.
(3) It is great advertising for a play which needs it.

Also of note, I have seen 8 shows through the last week, and this was the first show to actually check my Covid status. (Life of Pi which I also saw tonight did as well.)

Back to the show, I sat in the Circle (front row). View was amazing, but I suggest sitting closer in the stalls for a more immersive and encompassing experience.  This play works best when you feel like you are part of it.

As far as a minor gripe, while most of the acting was stellar, I wasn't crazy in the dialogue exchanges by the Father with his son.  There were lots of moments of silence between the characters, but it seemed to me like the Father never knew what to say, and when he did, it was as if he was just remembering his line. It just seemed awkward. This is likely an acting choice (the Father doesn't know what to say to his son), but it just didn't seem very realistic to me. I don't know. Maybe a small thing but it bothered me.

I also was expecting perhaps a bit more spectacle. Not that the spectacle isn't amazing when it does happen.  But the play takes a while to get going, and there are lots of moments where not much is happening. While I am sure this is true to the source material. It was just a bit slower then my expectations.

But that is a few small complaints about an otherwise outstanding and thought-provoking experiment. I highly enjoyed it and imagine I will be thinking of it for quite a while. The only thing working against it is I saw Life of Pi directly after, which is even more spectacular.  But even that doesn't diminish what a great show this was.  Kudos to everyone involved.

****

[stevej678]

Cancelled tonight.