West End - Central News Hub

Don’t Miss Out: ‘The Ocean’ Returns To London’s West End For 7-Week Stint

Based on a best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman, adapted by Joel Horwood and directed by Katy Rudd, this thrilling adventure of fantasy, myth and friendship, will play at the Noël Coward Theatre from 11 October until 25 November 2023. Following a highly acclaimed tour across the UK and Ireland, the National Theatre’s smash-hit production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane will return to London’s West End for a strictly limited 7-week run this autumn. A preview by west-end theatre columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International

This first major stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s work 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. Currently on tour, visiting 29 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland, the full cast will transfer with the show into London’s West End.

Charlie Brooks (Ursula) and Keir Ogilvy (Boy) in The Ocean at the End of the Lane. c. Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

This year marks 10 years since Neil Gaiman’s best-selling novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane,was first published. The novel won Book of the Year at 2013 National Book Awards and has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.

Finty Williams (Old Mrs Hempstock) and Millie Hikasa (Lettie) in The Ocean at the End of the Lane. c. Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

The Ocean at the End of the Lane production received its world premiere at the National Theatre in 2019. It made its West End debut at the Duke of York’s Theatre in 2021.

Writer Neil Gaiman said, “10 years since my novel was first published The Ocean at the End of the Lane won lots of awards and people loved it, then the National Theatre turned it into the most amazing play. I am thrilled, overjoyed and absolutely delighted that this glorious adaptation of my book is going to be returning to the West End on St Martin’s Lane. It makes audiences laugh and cry and wonder. If you wanted to see it, now is your chance.”

The cast of The Ocean at the End of the Lane. c. Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

National Theatre Director, Rufus Norris said: “Audiences across the UK and Ireland have been immensely enjoying this beautiful story from Neil Gaiman’s incredible imagination for the last seven months. We are so pleased that this magical production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, first created by Joel Horwood, Katy Rudd and their formidable creative team for our Dorfman Theatre, continues its wonderful journey, delighting audiences of all ages.”

Millie Hikasa (Lettie) in The Ocean at the End of the Lane. c. Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

The 17-strong ensemble cast are: Charlie Brooks (Ursula), Daniel Cornish (alternate Boy), Trevor Fox(Dad), Emma-Jane Goodwin (ensemble/understudy), Paolo Guidi (ensemble), Millie Hikasa (Lettie Hempstock), Lewis Howard (ensemble/understudy), Kemi-Bo Jacobs (Ginnie Hempstock), Jasmeen James (ensemble/understudy), Ronnie Lee (ensemble), Aimee McGoldrick (ensemble), Laurie Ogden (Sis), Keir Ogilvy (Boy), Domonic Ramsden (ensemble), Joe Rawlinson-Hunt (ensemble/understudy), Risha Silvera (ensemble/understudy) and Finty Williams (Old Mrs Hempstock).

Finty Williams (Old Mrs Hempstock) in The Ocean at the End of the Lane. c. Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

The award-winning creative team includes set designer, Fly Davis; costume and puppet designer, Samuel Wyer; movement director, Steven Hoggett; composer, Jherek Bischoff; lighting designer, Paule Constable; sound designer, Ian Dickinson; magic and illusions director and designer, Jamie Harrison; puppetry director, Finn Caldwell and casting director, Naomi Downham. The associate creative team includes associate director, Sophie Dillon Moniram; associate set designer, Tim Blazdell; associate movement director, Jess Williams; associate lighting designers, Rob Casey (for Ammonite) and Tom Turner; associate sound designer, Chris Reid; associate magic and illusions director, John Bulleid; and associate puppetry director, Gareth Aled.

Millie Hikasa (Lettie), Keir Ogilvy (Boy) in The Ocean at the End of the Lane. c. Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Neil Gaiman is known for his graphic novels, including The Sandman series (a major new Netflix series which in its first 10 days was watched for over 198 million hours by audiences around the world); his novels for adults and children including Stardust, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book; and multiple film and television projects including Good Omens (season 2 is due to appear on Amazon Prime from 28 July) and Anansi Boys.

Finty Williams (Old Mrs Hempstock) and Kemi-Bo Jacobs (Ginnie) in The Ocean at the End of the Lane. c. Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is currently on a 39-week UK and Ireland Tour until 7 October before it transfers to the Noël Coward Theatre.

Millie Hikasa (Lettie) and Keir Ogilvy (Boy) in The Ocean at the End of the Lane. c. Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Laurie Ogden (Sis), Charlie Brooks (Ursula) and Trevor Fox (Dad) in The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Credit Pamela Raith

Keir Ogilvy (Boy), Millie Hikasa (Lettie), Kemi-Bo Jacobs (Ginnie) and the cast of The Ocean at the End of the Lane. c. Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Keir Ogilvy (Boy), Millie Hikasa (Lettie) and the cast of The Ocean at the End of the Lane. c. Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Keir Ogilvy (Boy), Finty Williams (Old Mrs Hempstock) and Millie Hikasa (Lettie)

Finty Williams (Old Mrs Hempstock) and Trevor Fox (Dad)

James Graham’s ‘Dear England’ Comes to West End Oct 9

THE NATIONAL THEATRE’S HIT SOLD-OUT PRODUCTION OF DEAR ENGLAND, BY JAMES GRAHAM, TRANSFERS TO LONDON’S WEST END FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED 14-WEEK RUN, FROM 9 OCTOBER 2023. A preview by west-end theatre columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International

The National Theatre’s critically acclaimed, production of Dear England that will transfer to the Prince Edward Theatre is a play by James Graham, directed by Rupert Goold, which tells the story of the England men’s football team under Gareth Southgate.

Dear England cast at the National Theatre. Photo by Marc Brenner

It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game? With the worst track record for penalties in the world, England manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.

Dear England cast at the National Theatre. Photo by Marc Brenner

Commissioned by the National Theatre, Dear England was developed with the theatre’s New Work department and had its world premiere in the Olivier theatre on 20 June 2023.

National Theatre Director and Chief Executive, Rufus Norris said: “We’re delighted to be transferring Dear England to the Prince Edward Theatre. James’s brilliant play takes the topic of football and uses it as a fascinating lens on English identity, leadership, flawed masculinity, and how we see ourselves and are seen on a very different world stage. The production has been playing to packed houses all summer creating an electrifying buzz in the auditorium, with Joseph Fiennes’ pitch-perfect portrayal of Gareth Southgate. We’re so pleased that Dear England is joining the roster of NT productions transferring to the West End this year, and we’re thrilled that there will now be even more opportunities for new audiences to experience this show.”

Joseph Fiennes (Gareth Southgate) and Dear England cast at the National Theatre. Photo by Marc Brenner

Following their acclaimed productions of Tammy Faye and Ink at the Almeida Theatre, writer James Graham (Best of Enemies, Young Vic; Sherwood, BBC) has reunited with director Rupert Goold(Spring Awakening, Almeida Theatre; Judy, 20th Century Fox) for this gripping examination of both nation and game.

James Graham, writer of Dear England at the National Theatre. Photo by Johan Persson

Playwright James Graham said:

“To put the National Game on the stage of the National Theatre has been an utter dream and, in particular, to see the subject matter draw in new audiences to watch a play. It fills me with such excitement and joy to be bringing Rupert’s euphoric and entertaining production to the West End, with all its incredible movement and music and – what seems to be, for audiences so far – a deeply moving story inspired by the incredible journey of the men’s England football team.”

Rupert Goold (Director) in rehearsal for Dear England at the National Theatre. Photo by Marc Brenner

Director Rupert Goold said:

“I have thoroughly loved making Dear England with James, at the National Theatre. We have an incredible team of artists and actors and it’s been a joy to see audiences so engaged with this production, many of whom were young people visiting theatre for the first time. I can’t wait to transfer it to the West End and give even more people the opportunity to experience this brilliant play.”

Joseph Fiennes. Photo by Gary William Ogle

Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu; The Mother, Netflix) will reprise his role as Gareth Southgate, with further casting to be announced. Goold is joined by set designer, Es Devlin; costume designer Evie Gurney; lighting designer, Jon Clark; movement directors, Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf; sound designers, Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons, with additional music by Max Perryment and video designer, Ash J Woodward. Casting is by Bryony Jarvis Taylor; dialect coach is Richard Ryder and associate director is Elin Schofield.

Dear England in the West End is supported by American Express, the National Theatre’s Preferred Card Partner.