STROLL along the banks of Britain's canals and you'll probably see a tourist or three supping wine as they watch the world go by from the helm of their narrowboat home.

Even A-list celebs such as Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart have succumbed to the ultimate in English vacations, snubbing more glamorous destinations such as St Moritz for a week working their own custom-made Love Boat.

But one band of seasoned seafarers go a step further, combining their jobs as multi-talented actors and actresses/musicians with life on the waterways for four months a year.

Mark my words, its no mean feat steering a narrow boat, working the locks, mooring up and living in a vessel with half-metre wide gangways even for a few days, but to the members of the Mikron Theatre Company, it's a way of life.

Currently on their 33rd tour of the national canals and riversides, they are about to return to the pubs, village halls and waterside venues of the Rivers Avon and Severn for performances in and around Worcester, Tewkesbury, Evesham and Pershore.

Luckily for touring manager and performer Peter Toon, one of this year's four-strong cast on board the company's 72-foot narrow boat, Tyseley, is his wife Marianne.

"It's definitely better as we don't have to go three or four weeks without seeing each other and go through the goodbyes," said the Yorkshire actor, who is on his third tour with the company.

"It's a wonderful life, but bizarre really, as we are not just acting but boating, cooking, steering and mending the engine etc.

"When you are in a van touring, you turn up at 5.30pm, do your bit and go home.

"Also, what makes us do it every year is the intimacy with the audience.

"Last night, it poured down with rain and we had to go inside, so there were 50 or so people sitting within 30 feet of us and during certain themes we could see the reaction of the audience in their eyes.

"Its also informal - during the interval we have a pint or a cup of tea with people, whereas in the theatre, it can be quite clinical."

As well as possessing boating skills, the cast are gifted performers to put it mildly, playing 75 characters and 15 instruments between them in their two touring plays, Pedal Power and On the Line.

"Music plays a big part of Mikron's performances," Peter said.

"We play everything from keyboard and brass instruments to guitars, a violin, cello and even a kazoo features."

Pedal Power, the inspiring story of the National Clarion Cycling Club, which was a way of life for thousands for much of the 20th Century, and On the Line, the real story of the railways, in their bicentenary year, are two new productions for the company.

But as always, the Mikron shows promise to be laced with humour, original songs and music, courtesy of Elizabeth Eves, Marianne McNamara, Robert Took and Peter Toon.

Back at the boat, however, it can't be easy living in such a confined space.

"Put it this way, we have a squeaky floorboard and know when someone's off to the toilet," said Toon.

"But we are having a really good time this year and in what other job could you see such beautiful places?"

"We're in Oxfordshire at the moment and sitting here on the boat is like something out of a film. The sun is going down over the hill and it's magical.

"Basically, it's a wonderful way of life."

For full tour details, ring 01484 843701, e-mail admin@mikron.org.uk or check the website mikron.org.uk