THE WIPERS TIMES
IAN HISLOP AND NICK NEWMAN’S SATIRICAL PLAY
A Trademark Touring & Watermill Theatre Production
FOLLOWING A hugely successful WEST END RUN,
ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION TOURS the UK
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
9th - 14th October 2017
IAN HISLOP AND NICK NEWMAN’S SATIRICAL PLAY
A Trademark Touring & Watermill Theatre Production
FOLLOWING A hugely successful WEST END RUN,
ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION TOURS the UK
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
9th - 14th October 2017
Following a sold-out UK tour in 2016, and a critically acclaimed hit run at the Arts Theatre in the West End, The Wipers Times will once again tour the UK this autumn. It visits Southend's Palace Theatre on Monday 9th October.
Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s 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 (click here for full interview) said:
“Following an amazing audience and critical reaction in the West End which was almost over the top, Wipers Times is on manoeuvres again around Britain. We look forward to sharing the remarkable trench humour of the Wipers Times with new theatre-goers around the country. We are delighted it is not Journey’s End but the tour will all be over by Christmas. “
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.
Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s 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 (click here for full interview) said:
“Following an amazing audience and critical reaction in the West End which was almost over the top, Wipers Times is on manoeuvres again around Britain. We look forward to sharing the remarkable trench humour of the Wipers Times with new theatre-goers around the country. We are delighted it is not Journey’s End but the tour will all be over by Christmas. “
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.
The cast includes Kevin Brewer (Henderson), Clio Davies (Lady Somersby/Madame Fifi), Sam Ducane (Lieutenant-Colonel Howfield), James Dutton (Captain Roberts), George Kemp (Lieutenant Pearson), Chris Levens (Dodd), Dan Mersh (General Mitford), Jake Morgan (Barnes), Joseph Reed (Bobby) and Emilia Williams (Kate Roberts).
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 Bob Benton & David Parfitt.
The cast includes Kevin Brewer (Henderson), Clio Davies (Lady Somersby/Madame Fifi), Sam Ducane (Lieutenant-Colonel Howfield), James Dutton (Captain Roberts), George Kemp (Lieutenant Pearson), Chris Levens (Dodd), Dan Mersh (General Mitford), Jake Morgan (Barnes), Joseph Reed (Bobby) and Emilia Williams (Kate Roberts).
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 Bob Benton & David Parfitt.
George Kemp and James Dutton
Photo credits: Alistair Muir
THE WIPERS TIMES – FULL TOUR DATES AND LISTINGS INFORMATION
Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 September Cardiff New Theatre
Monday 18 – Saturday 23 September Oxford Playhouse
Monday 25 – Saturday 30 September Richmond Theatre
Monday 2 – Saturday 7 October Northern Stage, Newcastle
Monday 9 – Saturday 14 October Palace Theatre, Southend-on-Sea
Monday 16 – Saturday 21 October Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Monday 23 – Saturday 28 October Salisbury Playhouse
Tuesday 31 October – Saturday 4 November Manchester Opera House
Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 November Glasgow Theatre Royal
Monday 13 – Saturday 18 November Cheltenham Everyman Theatre
Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 September Cardiff New Theatre
Monday 18 – Saturday 23 September Oxford Playhouse
Monday 25 – Saturday 30 September Richmond Theatre
Monday 2 – Saturday 7 October Northern Stage, Newcastle
Monday 9 – Saturday 14 October Palace Theatre, Southend-on-Sea
Monday 16 – Saturday 21 October Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Monday 23 – Saturday 28 October Salisbury Playhouse
Tuesday 31 October – Saturday 4 November Manchester Opera House
Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 November Glasgow Theatre Royal
Monday 13 – Saturday 18 November Cheltenham Everyman Theatre
Tickets: Mon to Thurs 8pm plus matinees - £29.50, £27.50, £22.50
Fri and Sat 8pm - £32, £30, £25
Concs £2.00 off (excludes Fri and Sat 8pm)
Senior Citizen Mid-week matinee special £2.50, RV£20.50 (exc. groups)
Group discounts – 10% off groups 10-19, 20% off groups of 20+ (all perfs)
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
Fri and Sat 8pm - £32, £30, £25
Concs £2.00 off (excludes Fri and Sat 8pm)
Senior Citizen Mid-week matinee special £2.50, RV£20.50 (exc. groups)
Group discounts – 10% off groups 10-19, 20% off groups of 20+ (all perfs)
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.