Three Hens in a Boat is a hilarious play based on Jerome K. Jerome’s beloved novel ‘Three Men in a Boat’. Written by and starring Camille Ucan (BBC’s Here We Go and C4’s The Horne Section) and co- starring Verona Rose (BBC Three’s Fully Blown and Netflix’s Top Boy) and Ellen O’Grady (Porgy & Bess and Nine).
Three Hens in a Boat is showing at the Reading Rep Theatre between 1st – 17th May 2025 and Watermill Theatre Newbury between 22nd May – 7Th June 2025.
With a nod to the original novel (including a dog!) this play is humorous and thought provoking throughout. A daughter, her mother and her grandmother hire a boat (which was not what they imagined!) as part of their joint hen parties. They navigate the River Thames from Kingston to Henley – but not without plenty of drama along the way. This heartfelt comedy charts the twists and turns of intergenerational family dynamics – with mishaps, hilarious moments and also unspoken truths. Secrets are revealed, as well as unconditional love.
Three Hens in a Boat has the audience laughing out loud all the way through. There are twists that keep us guessing and the dynamic trio have the audience fully engaged from start to end. The comedy one-liners – especially from Jay’s Grandma, Claudette are sharp and witty. And Mum Gloria has an Eddie Monsoon from Ab Fab vibe at times – especially with her relationship with her daughter. Her drunken scenes are just brilliant.
This production marks a long-awaited new collaboration between the two award-winning Berkshire theatres. It is Camille Ucan’s debut play, as she reimagined the comedy classic of Three Men in a Boat for a modern audience. This all female line up is perfectly cast and is not to be missed!
