Three Hens in a Boat - Watermill Theatre REVIEW

Camille Ucan's Three Hens in a Boat, co-produced by Reading Rep and the Watermill Theatre, offers a delightful and poignant reimagining of Jerome K. Jerome’s classic. 

Transposing the original's male trio into three generations of women—grandmother Claudette, mother Gloria, and daughter Jay—the play embarks on a Thames hen party that becomes a journey of familial discovery, with plenty of chaos thrown in.

The performances are uniformly strong, with Ellen O’Grady's portrayal of Claudette standing out. Her tech-savvy yet emotionally reserved grandmother adds depth, particularly when reflecting on her migration from the Caribbean to England . The set design, featuring a scenic riverside backdrop, complements the narrative's ebb and flow 

While the first act skillfully balances humor and character development, the second act introduces dramatic revelations that, though resonant, slightly disrupt the comedic momentum . Nonetheless, the play succeeds in delivering a tender exploration of evolving family dynamics.

Three Hens in a Boat is a charming production that navigates the complexities of intergenerational relationships with humor and heart. It's a voyage worth taking for those seeking both laughter and reflection.