The Ocean At The End Of The Lane At Milton Keynes Theatre Review

Reviewed by Amanda Dando

It’s not too often I am asked to review a show that I know absolutely nothing about. To be honest, it’s why I actually started reviewing, to see shows and plays that I may never have chosen to see, simply because I didn’t know any songs in it, or it was a play, and plays are not my thing. So, here I was tonight at Milton Keynes Theatre to review The Ocean at the end of the Lane. Yes, I can hear you, sorry the what at the end of the lane?!

Milton Keynes Theatre was I have to say packed out for a show I had never heard of, all ages too, from young to old and every age in between. Well I thought, there must be something about this particular play to have bought so many people out on a Tuesday evening in June.

It’s got to have been he of the most surprisingly good plays we have seen. Stunning staging, the effects truly truly astonishing. This is not a play for the faint of heart, lots of loud sound effects that have you jumping in your seat, lots of mystical monsters, the most fantastic creation I have seen on stage since war horse. The ocean, don’t get me started on the ocean, what an amazing sight, what wonderful vision, I honestly felt like I was there in the ocean.

The drama involves a small cast, but wow some mighty powerful performances out there tonight. The boy and Lettie, played by Keir Ovilvy and Millie Hikasa, along side Dad, Trevor Fox Ginnie played by Kemi Bo Jacobs and old Mrs Hempstock, Finty Williams, not forgetting the lovely Charlie Brooks as the villain Ursula, were all outstanding. To be fair the whole cast, the ensemble, the puppeteers, all flipping fantastic.

What can I tell you without giving the plot away? A rare treat, a play that enthrals you, that captures your imagination, that grips you, rivets your eyes to the stage, grabs your attention from start to finish. The play is like no other I have ever seen and deserves all the accolades it should surely get.

This production by the National Theatre is simply outstanding, a child’s imagination laid out on stage, a story of friendship and family struggles. I can only put my interpretation on the play and say as I saw it. I am quite sure the mythical magical story that unfolds will speak in different ways to different people. I saw resilience, a family struggling without a mum, a boy who loved to lose himself in his books. A strange friendship that blossomed in the strangest of circumstances. Tonight was a wonderful experience, a play that evoked so many emotions, fear, hope, love maybe, but riveting from start to finish. The whole cast should be super proud of their performances and the staging. The scene with the doors was spellbinding. I loved everything about the play. Does everyone have an Ocean at the end of the Lane? Maybe! Go see it and find out for yourself, I really don’t think you will be disappointed.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Tickets cost from £13.00 plus transaction fee of £3.80

The Ocean at the end of the Lane is at Milton Keynes until Saturday 1st July 2023

For more information or to book tickets visit atgtickets.com or call the box office on 0333 0095399
500 Marlborough Gate Central Milton Keynes MK9 3NZ