The Wipers Times Tickets
Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s critically acclaimed satirical play The Wipers Times returns to the West End’s Arts Theatre for a strictly limited season, following two sold-out national tours and a celebrated London run in 2017.
Following a second hugely successful sold-out national tour, Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s satirical play The Wipers Times returns to the Arts Theatre in London’s West End. Originally premiering in 2013 as a BBC film, exactly 100 years after the Battle of the Somme, the comedy is inspired by the real story of the creation of The Wipers Times.
Based on the extraordinary true story of the men who created a satirical newspaper amongst the chaos and destruction of the Somme, The Wipers Times is intersected with hilarious sketches and spoofs from the brilliant imaginations of those on the front line. Created to lift the troop’s spirits, the paper encapsulated the remarkable trench humour of the First World War.
When two army officers discover a printing press in a destroyed building during World War One, in the Belgian town of Ypres (wrongly assumed to be pronounced by the soldiers as Wipers), they get a unique idea. Instead of using the press to print a bleak account of life in the trenches, they create a resolutely cheery, subversive newspaper with the purpose of keeping everyone’s spirits high on the frontline.
As their enemies dropped bombs, gassed their trenches and the Top Brass disapproved, The Wipers Times rolled off the press for a phenomenal two years. The Wipers Times acts a tribute to the resilience of human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Original 2017 casting saw Kevin Brewser as Henderson, James Dutton as Roberts, George Kemp as Pearson, Jake Morgan as Barnes and Dan Tetsell and General Mitford.
Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, The Wipers Times is directed by Caroline Leslie, featuring design by Dora Schweitzer, lighting design by James Smith, sound design by Steve Mayo and original compositions by Nick Green.
Heralded as a funny and original production, The Wipers Times returns to the West End once more for a strictly limited season, playing at the Arts Theatre from 15 October to 1 December 2018, with a press night on 18 October 2018.
Based on the extraordinary true story of the men who created a satirical newspaper amongst the chaos and destruction of the Somme, The Wipers Times is intersected with hilarious sketches and spoofs from the brilliant imaginations of those on the front line. Created to lift the troop’s spirits, the paper encapsulated the remarkable trench humour of the First World War.
When two army officers discover a printing press in a destroyed building during World War One, in the Belgian town of Ypres (wrongly assumed to be pronounced by the soldiers as Wipers), they get a unique idea. Instead of using the press to print a bleak account of life in the trenches, they create a resolutely cheery, subversive newspaper with the purpose of keeping everyone’s spirits high on the frontline.
As their enemies dropped bombs, gassed their trenches and the Top Brass disapproved, The Wipers Times rolled off the press for a phenomenal two years. The Wipers Times acts a tribute to the resilience of human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Original 2017 casting saw Kevin Brewser as Henderson, James Dutton as Roberts, George Kemp as Pearson, Jake Morgan as Barnes and Dan Tetsell and General Mitford.
Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, The Wipers Times is directed by Caroline Leslie, featuring design by Dora Schweitzer, lighting design by James Smith, sound design by Steve Mayo and original compositions by Nick Green.
Heralded as a funny and original production, The Wipers Times returns to the West End once more for a strictly limited season, playing at the Arts Theatre from 15 October to 1 December 2018, with a press night on 18 October 2018.
Sorry this show closed 01 December 2018, we recommend these similar productions.
Performance dates:
30 Nov 2018 - 01 Dec 2018
Running time:
2 hours and 10 minutes including an interval.
Venue:
Age recommendation:
Recommended 12+
Audience Notes:
The Wipers Times is perfect for those who love sharp and witty political satires. Fans of Ian Hislop and Nick Newman should not miss out on tickets for this acclaimed comedy.
Categories:
Such a wonderful play! Really funny but with sad undertones. You are regularly reminded that a war is happening, but the lead character is great at lifting spirits.