Review: THREE HENS IN A BOAT, Reading Rep Theatre
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat holds a fond place in the British Psyche having never been out of print since its publication in 1889. There have been many adaptations in its 135 year history, on stage, screen, radio and audiobook, and it would be impossible to estimate how many have taken the pilgrimage up the Thames as outlined in the book.
Regional powerhouses Reading Rep Theatre and The Watermill have come together to co-produce Camille Ucan’s new twist on the classic tale, which sees a grandmother, mother, and daughter take to the water to enjoy an unconventional hen do. Abigail Pickard Price directs the cast of three who present beautifully juxtaposing characters. Ellen O'Grady as matriarch, Claudette, is well turned out, no nonsense and very direct. O'Grady has excellent comic timing and her unflappable views on the world make for some very funny one-liners throughout. Claudette’s daughter Gloria is played by Verona Rose, a middle-aged artist with a free spirit and seemingly little understanding of how her life choices effect others- particularly those that love her.
Playwright Camille Ucan plays Jay, Gloria’s daughter, Claudette’s Granddaughter and the organiser of the triple hen do. Concerned with time, schedules and efficiency, Jay is portrayed as a typical millennial woman - never without her phone, doing her best to care about the planet, and calling the older generations out when they transgress with regard to political correctness modern sensibilities. The generational differences between the women are well written by Ucan, and highlighted by the performances of all three actresses.
Jasmine Swan’s set design is beautiful, and makes an excellent use of the playing space in Reading Rep. It’s a shame that the performers aren’t slightly more playful with the set, which has a charming, timeless, slightly fantastical air about it- it could just as easily be the set for The Wind in the Willows apart from a far off city scape depicted in the distance on the back cloth. Jonathan Chan’s lighting design feels a little clumsy in places, and Sarita Piotrowski’s movement direction feels over stylised for a piece that is largely naturalistic, and the lack of cohesion with some production elements is slightly jarring at times.
Three Hens in a Boat is a funny and charming evening of theatre, which in itself feels like a warm familial hug.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Sarah Brown