Casting has been announced for the National Theatre’s critically-acclaimed production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which tours the UK and Ireland from 12 December 2022.

This thrilling adventure of fantasy, myth and friendship is based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman, adapted by Joel Horwood and directed by Katy Rudd,

The cast includes Daniel Cornish (A Certain Term) as alternate Boy, Trevor Fox (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) as Dad, Emma-Jane Goodwin (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) as understudy, Paolo Guidi (Torch, Frantic Assembly) as ensemble, Millie Hikasa (Jack Absolute Flies Again) as Lettie Hempstock, Lewis Howard (War Horse) as understudy, Kemi-Bo Jacobs (The Great) as Ginnie Hempstock, Ronnie Lee (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as ensemble, Aimee McGoldrick (A Walk is Not Just a Walk, Lyric Theatre Belfast) as ensemble, Laurie Ogden (Great Expectations, BBC) as Sis, Keir Ogilvy (touring debut) as Boy, Domonic Ramsden (War Horse) as ensemble, Joe Rawlinson-Hunt (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) as understudy, Risha Silvera (touring debut) as understudy, and Finty Williams (The Key Workers Cycle) as Old Mrs Hempstock.  Further casting is to be announced.

National Theatre Director, Rufus Norris, said: “We are delighted to be returning to nationwide touring with this spellbinding production of Neil Gaiman's hit fantasy novel. Joel Horwood, Katy Rudd and their formidable creative team have created such a special show that appeals to all ages and beautifully showcases the magic of live performance. Before the pandemic over 50% of the National Theatre’s audience was seeing our work outside the capital, and so it is a pleasure to share this much-loved story with theatres and audiences across the UK and Ireland and to reconnect with them once again through live theatre.”

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.

An award-winning creative team join Katy Rudd and Joel Horwood, with set design by Fly Davis, costume and puppet design by Samuel Wyer, movement direction by Steven Hoggett, composition by Jherek Bischoff, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, magic and illusions direction and design by Jamie Harrison, puppetry direction by Finn Caldwell, and tour casting by Naomi Downham.

The tour will open at The Lowry in Salford where it will play over Christmas from 12 December 2022 – 8 January 2023, before visiting Woking, Leicester, Plymouth, Sunderland, Bath, Belfast, Dublin, Bradford, Wimbledon, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham, Cardiff, Nottingham, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Southampton, Newcastle, Canterbury, Southend, Bristol, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Norwich, Stoke-on-Trent, Truro, and Wolverhampton.

To book tickets for select touring venues, please click here.