The Wipers Times, excellent, will make you laugh and cry and have admiration, go see it. Would be my very succinct review of the production being shown at Theatre Royal this week. Why you ask?
Well it’s based on a true story of a magazine produced in the darkest hours of the trenches of World War 1 by our local Sherwood Foresters, these brave men were heroes in the truest sense of the word. For over two years despite the war raging and in active combat and losing some of their men they kept their humanity and humour.
It was called ‘The Wipers Times’ because the lads found it difficult to pronounce Ypres were the soldiers were fighting, when they found a small printing press. To keep up spirits and for an escape from the true horrors of war they wrote and printed this magazine which became extremely popular.
The stars of the show last night were many, the set, the songs, the main two actors, and in fact all of the cast and production team. The lead actors who played Captain Roberts, James Dutton and George Kemp who played Lieutenant Pearson did their characters proud.
Be sure as well to go up to the circle bar area and see the Armies museum display about the real men and regiment behind The Wipers Times, really moving and interesting.
This show sold out on the West End and is proving a huge hit in Nottingham too. Go and see it if you can. Tickets start at £19 and is being shown until Saturday 1st September. For more info and tickets click here.
Review by Ann Taylor
