21:30, Tue 29th October – Fri 1st November 2024 at Pembroke New Cellars
Michaelmas Week 3
Three Men in a Boat is a comedy by Clive Francis adapted for the stage from the 19th century novel by Jerome K. Jerome.
Three friends; Jerome, Harris and George (and their dog) try to escape the dullness of London by taking a trip along the river Thames after discussing all the possible illnesses they have acquired from working too hard (or not enough) and drinking too much (or too little).
They are faced with all the classic perils of a holiday – not knowing where to moor the titular boat, opening pineapple cans with a brick, getting caught in the rain and sharing beds - or all cosily sleeping on the floor in their case. All of this, of course, leads to hilarious mishaps and witty chaos during their meandering along the river. Along the way, they tell stories about the places they visit, often leading to digressions, funny anecdotes and all of them teasing each other.
The show pokes fun at the stereotypical British high society of late 1800s, with similar jokes and comedy to Oscar Wilde, but less known and even more applicable in its humour and storytelling to a modern audience. It is a comedy about the camaraderie of youth, the absurdity of existence, comic songs, and misadventures.