The Wipers Times Review
Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s The Wipers Times tells the true story of a satirical newspaper created by front-line soldiers amidst the muddy madness of World War One. Two Officers start a newspaper for the troops after discovering a printing press in their bombed out building in the Somme.
This satirical newspaper quickly starts poking fun at the war, becoming increasingly surreal and insubordinate towards the paper pushing senior staff supposedly in charge. Many of the best gags are at the expense of the senior staff, and really capture the rapport and humour of front-line soldiers risking their lives for a war they barely understand.
The insubordination quickly increases, as does the circulation, with it selling out to both troops and the general public back home. We see the senior staff reacting in outrage to being publicly mocked by this increasingly popular newspaper, whilst unable to shut it down.
The tone is very much Blackadder-esque, with public school boy hi-jinx, wit and pomposity. One of the Officers also has a striking vocal resemblance to Hugh Laurie’s Captain Darling. The newspaper features are acted out in pantomime style behind the Officers dictating. They are almost all very funny and have numerous sharp one-liners.
The quick-fire gags slow slightly at the start of act two as the piece takes a slightly more reflective tone. We see the effect the war effort has on the troops’ families back home in some nicely understated scenes. One of the most powerful hints at a troop’s reluctance to return home to his everyday life. Much of this is due the camaraderie of their unit and the fun they’re having on the newspaper. However, there is clearly an underlying concern that they will return home as shell-shocked shadows of their former self.
The gags are mostly clever and insightful, and land more often than not. The performances veer slightly too close to pantomime for my tastes, but are all engaging and frequently very funny. The set design also hauntingly captures the danger of life at the front-line, and the desperately bleak quality to the muddy trenches.
If you’re a fan of Private Eye, Blackadder, or Have I Got News For You, you’ll almost definitely lap up this anti-establishment laugh-a-minute production. Highly recommended for a very fun experience.
The Wipers Times plays at The Arts Theatre until 1stDecember 2018. Tickets can be purchased here.
By Martin Stocks