Five star review of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Bradford Alhambra

The National Theatre production of the best-selling author, whose work includes Good Omens, Coraline and The Sandman, is a very dark but thrilling adventure of fantasy, myth, fear, abuse and friendship blends magic with memory in a tour-de-force of storytelling.

The plot has shades of The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter but this is no children’s story. At times it is gruesome and scary taking the audience on an epic journey to a childhood once forgotten and the darkness and terror 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 is 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.

Director Katy Rudd has created a seamless production but the kudos for its brilliance has to be shared with the award-winning creative team. Paul Constable’s high intensity lighting, Ian Dickinson’s surround sound, Jamie Harrison’s Illusions and Finn Caldwell and Samuel Wyter’s puppetry all of whom exacerbate the terror and up the jump scare factor on Fly Davies’s amazing set.

The cast handle their characterizations with conviction showing both the comedic and dark side of their roles superbly. An energetic ensemble leave you breathless handling the slick and speedy scene changes whilst executing Steven Hoggett’s astounding choreography.

Never off stage Daniel Cornish (Alternate Boy) is outstanding in an exhausting role that demands physicality and believable acting skills.

Millie Hikasa (Lottie Hempstock) teams wonderfully with Cornish as the young girl who is his saviour and best friend.

Charlie Brooks (Ursula) as the initially sweet lodger at the boy’s house quickly becomes malevolent and abusive with convincingly chilling results.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a very dark tale, spectacularly staged but be warned it will scare and set you thinking.

To April 8.