# The Ocean at the End of the Lane (play)

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a 2019 play based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman and adapted for the stage by Joel Horwood.

## Production history
### World premiere: National Theatre, London (2019–2020)

The play made its world premiere in the Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre, London with previews beginning on 3 December 2019 (opening night 11 December) running until 25 January 2020. The production is directed by Katy Rudd, set designed by Fly Davis, costume and puppet design by Samuel Wyer, movement direction by Steven Hoggett and composed by Jherek Bischoff
The production received 3 nominations at the 2020 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Play, Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Josie Walker and won the award for Best Lighting for Paule Constable.

### West End (2021–2022)

Following the success at the National, the production was announced to transfer to the Duke of York's Theatre in London's West End in autumn 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the transfer was postponed until 23 October 2021 and ran until 14 May 2022. Casting was unveiled in September 2021.

### UK and Ireland tour and West End revival (2022-2023)

The production toured the UK and Ireland beginning at The Lowry, Salford on 12 December 2022 until October 2023. Casting was unveiled in October 2022.
The production returned to London's West End at the Noël Coward Theatre for a limited run from 11 October to 25 November 2023 featuring the cast from the tour.

## Cast and characters

| Character | National Theatre | West End | UK and Ireland Tour | West End Revival |
| Character | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Boy | Samuel Blenkin | James Bamford | Keir Ogilvy | Keir Ogilvy |
| Boy (Alternate) | — | — | Daniel Cornish | Daniel Cornish |
| Lettie Hempstock | Marli Siu | Nia Towle | Millie Hikasa | Millie Hikasa |
| Ginnie Hempstock | Carlyss Peer | Siubhan Harrison | Kemi-Bo Jacobs | Kemi-Bo Jacobs |
| Old Mrs Hempstock | Josie Walker | Penny Layden | Finty Williams | Finty Williams |
| Sis / Ensemble | Jade Croot | Grace Hogg-Robinson | Laurie Ogden | Laurie Ogden |
| Ursula / Skarthach | Pippa Nixon | Laura Rogers | Charlie Brooks | Charlie Brooks |
| Dad | Justin Salinger | Nicolas Tennant | Trevor Fox | Trevor Fox |
| Lodger / Ensemble | Jeff D'Sangalang | Jeff D'Sangalang | Ronnie Lee | Ronnie Lee |
| Ensemble | Fred Davis Owain Gwynn Jess Williams | Ruby Ablett Emma Bown Charlie Cameron Kieran Garland Miranda Heath Tom Mackley Charleen Qwaye Peter Twose | Emma-Jane Goodwin Paolo Guidi Lewis Howard Aimee McGoldrick Domonic Ramsden Joe Rawlinson-Hunt Risha Silvera Jasmeen James | Emma-Jane Goodwin Paolo Guidi Lewis Howard Aimee McGoldrick Domonic Ramsden Joe Rawlinson-Hunt Risha Silvera Jasmeen James |

## Reception

The play received five star reviews from The Telegraph, Sunday Times, WhatsOnStage, Gay Times and SFX Magazine.

## Awards and nominations
### Original London production

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2020 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best New Play | Best New Play | Nominated |
| 2020 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Josie Walker | Nominated |
| 2020 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Lighting Design | Paule Constable | Won |