Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by The National Theatre

When does childhood end and adulthood begin? What would happen if you knew the answer to everything in the universe? How does one coerce a parasitic greed-frenzied monster to return to another world through the hole in your heart?

Just as these questions become increasingly fantastical, so does the stunning production that asks them. From the National Theatre, The Ocean at the End of the Lane takes the pages of Neil Gaiman's brilliant novel, and brings them to life – mirroring the way the central character breathes life into his favourite childhood stories. The set is an immense knot of twigs, housing a monster with the proportions of both Harry Potter's Aragog and Professor Umbridge in one.

Despite the repeated mention of childhood, this is by no means a play for children. The opening scene details the family's lodger committing suicide after gambling his finances away, setting the tone of the play, with a backing track that could fit in a 90s video game or the opening sequence to Netflix's Stranger Things. That being said, this would be a great suggestion for A Level students who are looking at physical theatre, as there are a series of transition scenes that could inspire physical devised pieces.

On occasion, the elaborate stunts were a little too much for the performers, with a couple of trap doors sticking or blackout curtains peeping open, but on the whole the illusions were awe-inspiring. It is no wonder that they were designed by illusionist Jamie Harrison, the individual behind the magic in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

There is a playful link between adulthood and childhood throughout the performance with characters insinuating that they are one and the same. Hidden memories for the Boy (James Bamford) come and go, with mysteries surrounding magic and time peppered throughout, in true Gaiman style. The writer himself states in the show's programme that the story holds ‘everything [he has] to say about childhood and loss, and family and pain’ as well as the immovable power of ‘grandmother energy’. This moody and unmissable production transcends the walls of the Duke of York Theatre, and evokes an unshakable feeling of nostalgia long after the performance is over.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is on at the Duke of York Theatre until 14 May 2022. www.oceanwestend.com