Following highly successful tours in 2012 and most recently in 2014, which was the 125th anniversary year of the publication of Jerome K Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat, producers The Original Theatre Company and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds will once again be touring Craig Gilbert’s stage adaptation of this quintessentially British comedy in 2015, opening at the Cambridge Arts Theatre on 21 January.

In an attempt to escape the stresses of city life, three friends, J, Harris and George, accompanied by their faithful canine companion Montmorency, decide to take to the river in order to relax and rejuvenate. The holiday, however, quickly unravels and descends into chaos.

Originally intended as a guide to boating on the Thames, Jerome’s ripping yarn of youthful friendship, mischief and folly celebrates the very essence of Britishness. In Craig Gilbert’s production, this classic tale of boating misadventure comes complete with a working pub, live piano accompaniment, some ale, music hall singing, a dog and a lot of physical comedy.

Alastair Whatley, director of The Original Theatre Company, said, “Jerome K Jerome has been accused of writing the funniest book of all time. Now, over 125 years later, it still has the power to make people laugh uncontrollably in public places. Craig Gilbert’s adaptation also manages to make people laugh uncontrollably, but in the safety of a theatre.”

The cast of the UK tour of Three Men In A Boat includes Anna Westlake, David Partridge and Tom Hackney.

Three Men In a Boat is directed by Craig Gilbert, with set design by Victoria Spearing, lighting by Alan Valentine, sound by Giles Thomas, movement by Matt Bugg and musical direction by Tim Van Eyken.

Three Men In A Boat is suitable for all ages