Rose Theatre has released rehearsal images for the world premiere of Three Men in a Boat, a new comedy by Al Smith with original songs by Tony Award nominee Grant Olding, based on Jerome K. Jerome’s much-loved Victorian novel.
Directed by Rose Theatre Artistic Director Christopher Haydon, the production runs in Kingston upon Thames from 18 September to 10 October 2026, with a press performance on 23 September.
The cast is led by Jonny Weldon as Jerome, Bronté Barbé as Harris, Richard David-Caine as George and Calum Donald-Bruce as Montmorency.
Three Men in a Boat follows lifelong friends Jerome, George and Harris as they embark on a seemingly carefree boating holiday along the Thames, travelling from Kingston to Oxford. Their adventure quickly descends into chaos, featuring torrential rain, unruly dogs, alarming hallucinations and a host of unexpected obstacles.
Described as a celebration of friendship and misadventure, the production combines Smith’s new adaptation with Olding’s original songs, while physical comedy is created by John Nicholson.
The creative team includes Grant Olding as Musical Director and Sound Designer, John Nicholson as Movement Director and Comedy Consultant, Simon Kenny as Set and Costume Designer, Simisola Majekodunmi as Lighting Designer, Juliet Horsley CDG as Casting Director, Chris Pirie as Puppetry Director, Claudette Williams as Voice and Dialect Coach, and Rebecca Wear as Associate Director.
Rose Theatre says the production brings Jerome K. Jerome’s classic story to the stage in a fresh new version, blending comic theatricality with a quintessentially British tale of friendship, folly and adventure.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
