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

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!

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

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

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.

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.

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.😂

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

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 !!!!

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

****

You either enjoy this sort of children's fantasy tale or you don't. Because I am in the latter category, I had avoided this at the National and on transfer. However, a cancelled Hex, and second-row stalls seats for £39.50, persuaded me to give it a chance.

Sadly, my original assessment was sound. This was not a show for me, and I struggled to get much from it. There are no metaphors or allegories here; it is pure fantasy. There's nothing wrong with that. If that is your bag, you will enjoy this immensely.

I rated highly Nicolas Tennant as the father, Penny Layden as Old Mrs Hempstock, Laura Rogers as Ursula, and I thought Grace Hogg-Robinson was excellent as Sis, convincingly portraying a character we know to be younger than her twelve-year-old brother.

The two leads were curiously attired, the brother in his rainbow-laced Converse, and Lettie Hempstock in her red, retro Kickers, and their performances felt too old for me.

Where this production scores is on its soundtrack, its set design, and on its stage effects, which are, by turns, magical, terrifying and stunning. The stage movement and scene transitions are also beautifully realised. For these reasons, and the quality of some of the performances, the production is lifted to three-star status, but I can see why fans of the genre have given this top ratings.

Act 1: 19:32-20:42
Act 2: 21:01-22:00

Thoroughly enjoyed this last night. For anyone who hasn't been yet they are doing £10 tickets through the weekly release NT Friday rush and we got fantastic seats in row L of the stalls. Any West End show for a tenner is a bargain, but it certainly makes it all the more worthwhile to see something of this quality.
Visually it is stunning, and despite a slow first 15 minutes or so, after this I really got into it and it just flew by. I hadn't read the book or anything about the story but found it pretty easy to follow. Highly Recommend.

There are some Twitter accounts who publish when understudies and covers are going to be on, generally it's for that day's performance unless they know the performer will be covering a whole week's shows.

I got an email today from Broadway World saying there are special offers for many of the seats (some half price) if anyone is interested?

Those who have seen this
Best place to appreciate?.
Stalls or circle?
Thanks