THE WIPERS TIMES Closes In The West End 1 December

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman's satirical play The Wipers Times has just two weeks remaining of its limited West End season at the Arts Theatre which must end on 1 December 2018.

The Wipers Times - a stage adaptation of their award-winning BBC film - tells the true and extraordinary story of the satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the Somme, interspersed with comic sketches and spoofs from the vivid imagination of those on the front line.

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman said:

"After more than 300 performances on tour and in the West End, The Wipers Times is reaching journey's end, with just two final weeks before we say goodbye to all that. It has been a privilege to bring this remarkable story to life, and see modern audiences engage with the jokes and spirit of this amazing trench newspaper."

In a bombed out building during the First World War in the Belgian town of Ypres (mispronounced Wipers by British soldiers), two officers discover a printing press and create a newspaper for the troops. Far from being a somber journal about life in the trenches they produced a resolutely cheerful, subversive and very funny newspaper designed to lift the spirits of the men on the frontline.

Defying enemy bombardment, gas attacks and the disapproval of many of the top Brass, The Wipers Times rolled off the press for two years and was an extraordinary tribute to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.

The production originally launched one hundred years after the Battle of the Somme and publication of The Wipers Times. This current run coincides with the commemoration of the end of WW1.

The cast includes Emilia Williams, Dan Mersh, Clio Davies, George Kemp, Amar Aggoun, James Dutton, Kevin Brewer, Chris Levens, Joseph Reed and Sam Ducane. The Wipers Times is directed by Caroline Leslie, designed by Dora Schweitzer, with lighting design by James Smith, sound design by Steve Mayo. The composer is Nick Green, and Musical Director Paul Herbert. It is produced by David Parfitt & Bob Benton.

For tickets contact www.artstheatrewestend.co.uk / 020 7836 8463

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