“The War Is Not Funny,
Sir”
“I’ve A Feeling That
May Be The Point”
Wipers Times
Newcastle Northern Stage
Until Saturday 7th October
2017
1916. Ypres. Belgium. (Though the British Tommies
mispronounce the place “Wipers”). Two
officers find a printing press and start producing a satirical newspaper for
the delight of those on the Western Front. Wipers
Times is written by Ian Hislop, editor of satirical magazine, and Nick
Newman, Private Eye cartoonist and
scriptwriter of Spitting Image, and
it looks at the efforts of the officers Private Eye to raise the morale of the
men whose life was a daily hell full of gas attacks, machine guns and enemy
soldiers.
Sherwood
Forester Captain Fred Roberts, as played by James Dutton, is a glass half full
type of character. Always able to find the funny side to some of the most awful
situations, he had the skills to keep his men motivated. Lieutenant Jack
Pearson (George Kemp) is a perfect partner for Fred to produce an entertaining,
and grammatically correct, publication for the troops. Whilst they could come
up with the words and the ideas, as luck would have it, they have in their
ranks Sergeant Harris who was a printer on civvy street and he is able to get
the publication into print.
The use of
comical pseudonyms for cutting observations in articles was trail blazing for
modern publications like Private Eye.
The use of fake and funny adverts is reminiscent of Viz in its prime. Composer Nick Green has been able to insert
musical interludes and musical hall set pieces to typify the almost absurd
nature of their adverts.
Director
Caroline Leslie has enabled an almost faultless and entertaining production
from the 10 strong ensemble. The meetings by the staff miles behind the front
line have the feel of Blackadder Goes Forth at its best. The discussions
between the officious Colonel Howfield (Sam Ducane) with the more sympathetic
General Mitford (Dan Mersh) does have the Captain Darling vs General Melchett situation
comedy about it. Between the copy being produced for the paper and the couple
not seeing eye to eye in the staff house, there was plenty of laughs for the
packed Northern Stage audience.
There have
been a number of productions as the Great War reached its 100th
anniversary. The set design in many of these shows often settles for a simple
trench scene. The design in Wipers Times by Dora Schweitzer has the versatility
to be not just a trench, but also the production facility and a music hall too.
The cast can also perform skits, from behind the trenches, that illustrate the
typical content of the Wipers Times to great comic effect.
Yes the
show has swipes at the Generals, the Germans and the general situation that the
rank and file soldier found themselves in. There are a couple of knowing digs
at the Daily Mail newspaper too.
There are a number of great comedic points that had the audience laughing.
Wipers Times, though, is more than just a comedy. It has suitable pathos and
deferential respect for those who laid down there life in what was supposed to
be the war to end all wars. The narrative doesn’t get too maudlin though. This
is a true story and it is valuable to remember the efforts of this group of men
at maintaining morale.
A packed
house enjoyed tonight’s show and it is really difficult to fault it.
Entertaining and educational about a forgotten episode in history, the great
cast delivered a wonderful performance at Northern Stage.
Review by Stephen Oliver
Photographs
by Alastair Muir
Tickets:
Tickets
from £10 are available from the box office on 0191 230 5151 or online from the
website: https://www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/the-wipers-times
Running
time: 2 hours 10 mins (including interval)
Recommended
Age: 12+
Post-show
discussion: Thu 5 Oct
Video
Trailer: https://youtu.be/7ozT_xO0DwQ
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