From page to stage: bringing ‘Three Hens in a Boat’ to life
From page to stage: bringing ‘Three Hens in a Boat’ to life
We’re nearly ready to open our doors on ‘Three Hens in a Boat’, the brand new comedy from Camille Ucan, who has updated Jerome K Jerome’s classic tale of mishaps along the River Thames with a contemporary twist.
This is no longer the tale of three Victorian gentlemen enjoying a jaunt along the river. This is the story of three women, all brides, all from the same family, who decide to go on a joint hen do on the river, where things couldn’t be further from plain sailing…
We sat down with Camille and director Abigail Pickard Price to hear what audiences have in store.
First of all, how does this story differ from its namesake?
Camille: The play is inspired by Jerome K. Jerome’s novel ‘Three Men in a Boat’, but it’s very different. I’ve used the idea of going on a river boating trip down the Thames, but I’ve replaced the Victorian blokes with three modern women. And there are some comedy set pieces from the book, which you’ll recognise if you’re a fan, these little Easter eggs from the book. But apart from those – and the location for their journey down the river – the story is very different.. It’s new characters and a new story.
So the story follows these three women through the River Thames and some recognisable Berkshire locations. It’s being written, produced and performed in Berkshire. Tell us about how the setting of Berkshire inspired you?
Camille: I really enjoyed reading ‘Three Men in a Boat’, because I grew up in Reading, there are locations I recognise in Jerome K. Jerome’s boat trip along the Thames. So I was excited to write a play that has so many references to places I’ve been. Like when I was a kid, we’d go to Henley or Marlow for a posh day out. I went to Reading Festival when I was younger. So to have my first play debut in Reading is really exciting, and then to move to the Watermill in Newbury is just amazing, so I’m so excited to be doing this whole project in Berkshire.
Tell us about the production design, how are you bringing the River Thames to the stage?
Abbi: To bring the river onto the stage is quite a challenge! We don’t have a swimming pool in the theatre, or anything like that. But instead, Jasmin Swan – who’s designing the piece – has created a beautiful playful space, which depicts the river and translates to the whole journey down the Thames. It’s just this magical space she’s created. And we have a boat that will move around and hopefully be a lot of fun to watch.
What was it about the setting of these three female relatives in close quarters on a hen do that inspired you to write this story?
Camille: I wanted to write a play about three generations of the same family, because I am interested in family dynamics. I think it makes the play recognisable. Whoever you are, when you come to watch it, I hope you’ll be able to recognise someone from your family in the play. I’ve been inspired by my mum, my grandma, my auntie, sister, friends etc. I wouldn’t say it’s a direct representation of them – especially because some of the characters are not particularly painted in a brilliant light – but I’ve been inspired by them. I think that female family relationships lend themselves really well to intense emotions, in terms of underlying tensions that are not always spoken out loud. And that, in turn, makes for really good humor and comedy.
Abbi: I hope that audiences will go away from the theatre feeling very full. Full of joy, full of celebration for family and for women. And also realising the real nature of family. I think we build to a point in the play where there’s a real animal need for family, and that’s something that I think is very special. What Camille has done with the piece, in the way that she’s built those relationships and the gradual realisation of that real need and that real kind of longing in your heart… I hope audiences will take that away with them as well.
What can audiences expect from the show?
Abbi: It’s a fun night at the theatre combined with some drama; there’s some real secrets unfolding as the play goes on. A lot of unexpected action that you might not expect on a standard hen do.. I mean to start with, a standard hen do is not one with your mother and your grandmother on a skiff. Beyond that, there’s a lot of family secrets and individual secrets that come out, and there’s a lot of fun to be had whilst we learn who these three women really are. And what a treat to be working on this production with so much female talent.
Camille: If you come and see ‘Three Hens in a Boat’, you can expect to laugh – hopefully! – because it’s a comedy first and foremost. I’m hoping audiences just enjoy a really fun night of brilliant theatre. I love a night in front of the telly as much as the next person, but nothing beats live theatre.
‘Three Hens in a Boat’ plays at Reading Rep from Thursday 1 to Saturday 17 May, before moving to the Watermill Theatre in Newbury on Thursday 22 May.
