Three Men in a Boat – The Mill at Sonning

Three Men in a Boat was performed in a delightfully charming theatre nestled by the waters of the Thames, just outside London in Sonning. The theatre itself featured a beautiful mill inside the building, adding to the unique and picturesque atmosphere of the venue.

Each theatre ticket included an exemplary two-course meal, with attentive staff who ensured everyone was well looked after. The meal for me was the highlight, offering delicious options that catered to various tastes. The dining experience set a warm and inviting tone for the afternoon, making the audience feel well cared for even before the performance began.

The production was set just before the First World War, highlighted by a poignant final image. It followed a trio of friends: Jerome, played by George Watkins; his bank manager friend George, played by James Bradshaw; and Harris, played by Sean Rigby who were seen enjoying a leisurely boat trip along the Thames.

Throughout the show, the men encounter various characters, each amusingly portrayed by the trio. This included comic portrayals of their dog, Montmorency, with enthusiastic barking that provided many laughs.

The production was a fun, light-hearted show that had many audience members laughing at the jokes and the charm of the actors. The performers’ charisma was thoroughly engaging, evoking nostalgia for a time when life seemed easier and more peaceful, filled with leisurely outings and carefree days. Their energy and enthusiasm were infectious, making it easy for the audience to be swept along in their adventures.

However, overall, the production was a let-down after the amazing meal. The first act in particular appeared to drag on and failed to maintain the audience’s attention. Despite the actor’s enthusiasm, it was not enough to keep the audience on their toes.

The set itself comprised of a simple three chairs and a bookcase that opened up to reveal a boat inside. Unfortunately, the simplicity of the set detracted from the sense of realism, and the audience had to rely heavily on their imagination and the simple projection of images to picture where the characters were. This minimalism made the show suffer visually and contributed to the overall lack of engagement.

The charm of the actors continued to tell the story of the Three Men in the Boat on their trip along the Thames however throughout the performance the actors appeared to reuse jokes and rely on the same nonsensical humour in each scene to try and keep the show comical.

The men did sing a few short songs that resonated with the older attendees, who were encouraged to sing along which did bring out a few moments of joy in an otherwise lengthy first act.

 After a brief intermission and a chance to stretch their legs, the audience returned to find the pace had picked up. The second act was more fast-paced and engaging, with more humorous moments.

The show progressed more quickly in the second half, leading to a fluent and satisfying ending. The final image, referencing the looming shadow of World War I, another layer to the otherwise light-hearted narrative, reminding the audience of the historical context and the end of an era.

Overall, the experience of enjoying a theatrical performance in a beautiful setting, accompanied by a delightful two-course meal, made for a lovely day out. However, the lack of work put into the set design, the repeat of jokes and the overall lengthy monologues performed by each character made this show difficult to be saved.  

Reviewer: Zain Russell

Reviewed: 16th June 2024

North West End UK Rating: