Ocean at the End of the Night
posted by Neil Gaiman
The press night of the National Theatre production of Ocean at the End of the Lane was wonderful. Also, emotionally gruelling. I sat between two women who both cried a lot, and a reviewer next to them who was doing fine until tears started splashing on his notebook. It's not that it's sad, exactly, more that it can hit you right in the feels...
The reviews are five star and four star. They say things like
Labels: National Theatre, The Ocean At The End of the Lane
The press night of the National Theatre production of Ocean at the End of the Lane was wonderful. Also, emotionally gruelling. I sat between two women who both cried a lot, and a reviewer next to them who was doing fine until tears started splashing on his notebook. It's not that it's sad, exactly, more that it can hit you right in the feels...
The reviews are five star and four star. They say things like
Is Neil Gaiman���s ���The Ocean at the End of the Lane��� a story of childhood for adults or an adult view of the world for children? As director Katy Rudd���s astonishingly theatrical production of Joel Horwood���s adaptation resoundingly proves, the answer is: Both. Although wisely recommended for audiences above the age of twelve ��� the age of the central character ��� this captivating piece of theater, now premiering at the National Theater in London, is as scary as it is splendid and as moving as it is, in every sense, magical. (Variety)and
I don���t know why but I assumed this stage adaptation of a 2013 fantasy novel by Neil Gaiman ��� award-winning but not, I think, widely known ��� was a contractual obligation Christmas show, something to ensure the building could open its doors to families (at least those with children aged 12 and over) during the holiday period.
Far from it. As one decade gives way to the next, what we have here is the NT���s successor to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time ��� something of that order and wow-factor. The similarities with Mark Haddon���s novel are striking: the protagonist is an alienated boy drawn into a hurtling adventure cum psychological maelstrom; yet The Ocean at the End of the Lane is still a different kettle of fish, enfolding us inside a much more discombobulating narrative labyrinth. (Daily Telegraph)And it's all true. It's far and away my favourite of any of the adaptations of my stuff people have made. I just wish more people were going to be able to see it.
Labels: National Theatre, The Ocean At The End of the Lane
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Dec 16, 2019 08:10AM
I'm so happy to hear this! One of my favorites forever. Thanks for sharing!
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I wish I could see the production! It sounds amazing!!
I wish I could see it too! I absolutely loved this book.
Fingers crossed that this production will travel across The Pond. And the rights become available for other theater companies to produce.
Any chance a DVD/Blu-ray of one of the performances will be released?
I would love to have seen it - I'm so glad you felt it went well!
Congratulations!I've seen the National Theatre productions of Hamlet and Frankenstein at cinemas in WY, USA, so, maybe...
I,m in Sweden so there’s sadly no chance for me to see it(unless it’s being filmed), but congratulations. I loved the book.
Congratulations! Sounded so great. I wish I could have seen it.
I came from Paris last week-end just to watch the play. Even though I really like the book, I was not expecting anything exceptional from the production ... and boy was I wrong!It was a truely moving and brilliant show, full of creativity and poetry. A must see!
Dear Neil Gaiman,Is there any chance the original cast and crew might bring the play to the U.S. (she asks, hopefully)? Or, any chance we'll have come up with teleportation before it's run at the National Theatre is over?
Thank you!
Lynne
This is a beautiful story, I love this book. I hope to see something like this production in Mexico. (or this production).
Your stories bring me so much joy, I can't even properly explain or thank you enough. You've helped a dyslexic non-reader become a passionate reader. Thank you!
I didn't realize it was being produced! But yes, I can totally imagine it as a play. Very cool.
