Three Men In A Boat - MikeRo Theatre (for Southampton University Players), Nuffield Theatre

JEROME K Jerome's evergreen classic was brought to life in splendid fashion in this one-man performance, which warmed the heart even on a chilly winter night.

Mike Rogers, a one-time lecturer in German at the university, presented some of his favourite passages from the book, capturing the spirit, humour and, at times, the melancholy of this classic look at Victorian life, weather and oddball characters.

His smooth delivery conjured up some wonderful imagery - from the three hapless friends (and their rogue of a dog) putting up a tent in the dark, to taking over-ripe cheeses on board a packed railway carriage at the height of summer.

Mr Rogers had us in the palm of his hand. The scene where a group of visitors cannot find their way out of Hampton Court's famous maze, and have "given up all hope of ever seeing family and

friends again", had the audience shaking with laughter. Yet when tragedy struck later on, the sudden change in mood was well-handled.

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