Casting is nearly complete for the National Theatre’s upcoming U.K. and Ireland tour of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which follows a six-month run at the Duke of York’s Theatre and a 2019 world premiere in the National's Dorfman.

Based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman, the play is adapted by Joel Horwood and directed by Katy Rudd and will visit 29 towns and cities beginning December 12 at the Lowry in Salford, where it will play through January 8, 2023. The tour will continue into 2023, concluding September 26-30 at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

The cast will include Daniel Cornish as the alternate Boy, Trevor Fox as Dad, Millie Hikasa as Lettie Hempstock, Kemi-Bo Jacobs as Ginnie Hempstock, Laurie Ogden as Sis, Keir Ogilvy as Boy, and Finty Williams as Old Mrs. Hempstock with ensemble members Paolo Guidi, Ronnie Lee, Aimee McGoldrick, and Domonic Ramsden plus understudies Emma-Jane Goodwin, Lewis Howard, Joe Rawlinson-Hunt, and Risha Silvera, with further casting to be announced.

The play follows a young man who returns home and finds himself revisiting past memories of his friend Lettie, who used to say that the pond behind her house wasn't a pond at all, but an ocean. Together they are plunged into a magical realm and must reckon with dark, ancient forces.

"We are delighted to be returning to nationwide touring with this spellbinding production of Neil Gaiman's hit fantasy novel," says National Theatre Director Rufus Norris in a statement. "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 U.K. and Ireland and to reconnect with them once again through live theatre."

The production will also have set design by Fly Davis, costume and puppet design by Samuel Wyer, movement direction by Steven Hoggett, composition by Jherek Bischoff, lighting design by Paule Constable, sound design by Ian Dickinson, magic and illusions direction and design by Jamie Harrison, puppetry direction by Finn Caldwell, tour casting by Naomi Downham, associate direction by Sophie Dillon Moniram, associate set design by Tim Blazdell, associate movement direction by Jess Williams, associate lighting design by Rob Casey for Ammonite and Tom Turner, associate sound design by Chris Reid, associate magic and illusions design by John Bulleid, and associate puppetry direction by Gareth Aled.

Tickets are available at OceanOnStage.com.