Stage Productions

[Tom Neill]

Hello Jeromians!

I'm thrilled to have discovered this website and forum and I'd like to let you all know about a new stage adaptation of 'Three Men In A Boat' that I am producing at South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell, this 10-13 April.

I was captivated by the book last summer - I think it has such a wonderful mix of comedy, history and poetry.  Hopefully some of you will be able to come and see the show!

On stage adaptations in general:
I've haven't seen Rodney Bewes' version - how does he tackle it being just one man?
Also, I understand from browsing the forum that Jesthepres has produced a version too.  I'd be interested to hear more about that Jes!

All best,

Tom.

[jesthepres]

Hello Tom!
Another stage adaptation of Three Men! That makes three in almost as many years. Good luck with yours - I hope it comes off better than the last I saw by and starring Clive Francis.
I too have not seen Mr Bewes's version but I gather it follows the same format as my earlier adaptation but with quite a lot of inter-action with the audience. There is no mystery as to how it works as a solo turn - the book is written in the first person and it comes off the page rather like someone giving an after-dinner speech about himself. Bewes, I gather, sets his version on the river bank. I set mine in my London lodgings some years after the events described in the book.
I adapted the book in 1980 and produced it as a vehicle for myself at the 1980 Edinburgh Festival. After a 3 week sell-out run, I waited until the following year to get the May Fair Theatre in the West End (no longer with us). We ran from Sept 1981 till January 1982 and I was nominated for an Olivier Award. After that I did a short national tour, then recorded an abridged version of the book for Argos spoken word recordings, then made a film of my one-man show (on location and in the theatre) for Channel 4 (not a success). After that I re-adapted the book and also Three Men on the Bummel and recorded them in front of an audience for BBC Radio 4. And if we're plugging our Jeromian wares, the spoken word recordings I made of Boat and Bummel (not the BBC versions) are available direct from me at a very reasonable £15 for 4 CDs!
Keep us informed about times & ticket prices etc and who is in your version.
Best wishes,

[sean wiles]

Congratulations Tom!,your stage adaptation cannot fail as the content is so good, all you need is enthusiasm and I can see you have that! Rodney Bewes has proved this , I have seen his version and I enjoyed it very much, and he does it without any props, background or effects at all, just stands there and does it. Others would say he is not brilliant, but most critics dont actually venture on stage themselves!
I am going to see Rodneys "on stage and off" at Eastleigh later this year, we will see how he gets on with that.
Ive not seen Jes doing his TMIB, but it goes without question that an actor of his calibre would be perfect.
We will try to get to Bracknel for your event and I wish you every success.

[Tom Neill]

It seems to be in vogue this year, I found out there's another one on in York too. I didn't know I was joining such a tradition of successful adaptations!  I also found a 'dramatic reading' by Jim Sperinck done in 1992 and revised in 1995.  This one is for three actors in a storytelling style.

Jes, you requested more details on my show:
Like Bewes', I'm doing minimal set, trying to create everything out of a table, chairs and tablecloths.  That includes the boat, the train journey & the magna carta story complete with horses and (possibly) a swordfight.

The cast is Jonny Liron, Martin Rock and Phillip Whiteman.

Performances are -
Thurs 10 Apr 3pm & 8pm, Fri 11 Apr 8pm, Sat 12 Apr 3pm & 8pm, Sun 13 Apr 8pm
Tickets are £10 all seats and the box office is 01344 484123

End of Ad Break!

Sean, thank you for your encouragement.  Let me know if you are able to come as we could chew the cud after.
'On Stage & Off' - is that an adaptation, or was that a script originally?

All best,
Tom.