Neil Gaiman’s “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” tour dates announced

By John Freeman on May 20, 2022

Tour dates for the National Theatre’s major stage adaptation of The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman have been announced, taking in venues in the UK and Ireland.

The show, adapted from the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman, has just ended its run at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London’s West End.

Directed by Katy Rudd (Camp Siegfried) and adapted by Joel Horwood (Skins, I Want My Hat Back), the first major stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s work, starring is a thrilling adventure of fantasy, myth and friendship, which blends magic with memory in a tour-de- force of storytelling that takes audiences on an epic journey to a childhood once forgotten and the darkness that lurks at the very edge of it.

Returning to his childhood home, a man finds himself standing beside the pond of the old Sussex farmhouse where he used to play. He’s transported to his 12th birthday when his remarkable friend Lettie claimed it wasn’t a pond, but an ocean – a place where everything is possible…

Plunged into a magical world, their survival depends on their ability to reckon with ancient forces that threaten to destroy everything around them…

A special illustrated edition of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, the bestselling magical novel from master storyteller Neil Gaiman, is available now.

The official soundtrack release of the original score from composer Jherek Bischoff is now available to stream and download on all major platforms and a CD edition available to buy from the National Theatre Bookshop. A special limited-edition vinyl will also be released in 2022.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane – The Tour

Featuring an ensemble cast of 17, the The Ocean at the End of the Lane tour will open at The Lowry in Salford, where it will play over Christmas (12th December 2022 – 7th January 2023), before visiting New Victoria Theatre, Woking (24 – 28 Jan); Curve Theatre, Leicester (31 Jan – 11 Feb); Theatre Royal Plymouth (14 – 25 Feb); Sunderland Empire (28 Feb – 4 March); Theatre Royal Bath (7 – 18 March); Grand Opera House, Belfast (21 – 25 March); Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin (28 March – 1 April); The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (4 – 8 April); New Wimbledon Theatre (11 – 15 April); Edinburgh Festival Theatre (18 – 22 April); Liverpool Empire (2 – 6 May); Sheffield Lyceum Theatre (9 – 20 May); The Alexandra, Birmingham (23 – 27 May); Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (30 May – 3 June); Nottingham Theatre Royal (6 – 17 June); New Theatre, Oxford (20 – 24 June); Milton Keynes Theatre (27 June – 1 July); Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (4 – 8 July); Newcastle Theatre Royal (11 – 22 July); Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (25 – 29 July); Cliffs Pavilion, Southend (8 – 12 Aug); Bristol Hippodrome (15 – 19 Aug); His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (22 – 26 August); King’s Theatre, Glasgow (29 August – 2 Sept); Norwich Theatre Royal (5 – 9 Sept); Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent (12 – 16 Sept); Hall for Cornwall, Truro (19 – 23 Sept) and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (26 – 30 September).

The running time is two hours and 35 mins, including an interval. This production is suitable for ages 12+.

This production contains the following effects; high intensity lighting and strobe, haze and smoke, pyrotechnics, loud sound, blackouts and some scenes that people may find frightening. The production contains some adult themes that some people may find distressing, including a depiction of suicide and scenes discussing suicide. If you would like any further information before you book your tickets please email boxoffice@nationaltheatre.org.uk

With thanks to Paul H. Birch

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.