If two world wars, global depression and a terrible inability to win at football have taught us anything, it is that humour can always conquer adversity. Especially if you are British. The Wipers Times is a perfect tribute to that enduring British spirit; defiant and courageous even as the bombs are falling and superiors are causing more harm than the enemy.
The Story
Based on a true story from the First World War, two officers happen across a printing press; on a whim, they decide to appropriate it in the name of front line morale. As a distraction from the German crumps and duds showering down upon them, the jocular Captain and his trusted Lieutenant curate a satirical newspaper amidst the mud, mayhem and misery. Against all the odds, they soldier on for two years; resilient, resolute, laughing.
Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye and Have I Got News for You panellist, wrote The Wipers Times with his career-long writing companion, Nick Newman. Intended as a eulogy to the Captain Fred J. Roberts, Lieutenant John H. Pearson and their team of contributors, this largely unknown story from World War 1 could well be about Hislop and Newman themselves. I imagine the story resonated deeply given that they have made a career out of satire, and you rather imagine they would have naturally filled the role of lampooners-in-chief had they switched places.
The Verdict
Anyone who has read Private Eye, or watched any of the shows Hislop and Newman have contributed to, will not be surprised to learn that they are rather funny. The Wipers Times is a laugh a minute revue, peppered with caricatured characters and sharp, witty dialogue.
The staging is highly effective, transforming from the trenches to the offices of the High Command in seconds; during transitions, the troops chorus trench ditties to fully immerse the audience. There are occasional moments of solemnity which are sensitively played; these effectively highlight the role that humour plays as a coping mechanism, and bring a necessary sense of perspective.
Unusually, there are no stand out cast members; they are all fantastically funny in their own right and clearly share a warm camaraderie, on and off stage. They are a strong band of brothers and everyone plays their part, even if only as cannon fodder for The Wipers Times. This is a modern classic and serves as a perfect reminder that whilst the horrors of war can never be forgotten, the spirit of good men and women can never be downtrodden.
Where can you see The Wipers Times?
I’d recommend buying a ticket but it is pretty much sold out for the entire week. As it also sold out its West End run, you perhaps shouldn’t be surprised. Nevertheless, there are odd tickets and undoubtedly returns if you can be available at short notice. Failing that, it returns in 2018 including a run at Malvern Theatre so make sure you reserve your tickets early.
If you can find a seat, you can catch it at the Everyman theatre in Cheltenham until Saturday 18th November. It then heads to the Chichester Festival Theatre to finish its 2017 run.