Christopher Haydon's theatrical adaptation of Jerome K Jerome's 1889 novella "Three Men in a Boat" brings the classic story of three men and a dog rowing the Thames to the Rose Theatre in Kingston upon Thames with contemporary sensibilities and theatrical flair. The production is notably more "liberal and democratic" than the original text, emphasising humour and spectacle whilst smoothing over some of the book's darker meditations on religion, society and death.

The 135-minute show features eight musical numbers incorporating Gilbert and Sullivan, opera and music hall styles, with a cast including Bronté Barbé as the eccentric Harris (with false moustache), Richard David-Caine as George (reimagined as a recently widowed doctor), and Jonny Weldon as Jerome. The narrative reorders the original chapters to propel the story toward Harris's Oxford wedding, centring on set pieces including a swan attack, putrid cheese, and a murder investigation, with Montmorency the fox terrier portrayed as a charming rag puppet. The production runs until 10 October at the Rose Theatre, Kingston upon Thames.