The Wipers Times
Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s smash-hit comedy, The Wipers Times, returns to the Watermill stage, where this extraordinary story premiered, to kick off their 60th anniversary celebrations.
Based on the true story of the satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the First World War, The Wipers Times follows two British officers who discover a printing press in a bombed-out building in Ypres – or ‘Wipers’, as the soldiers called it.
With enemy shells raining down around them, they set about producing a newspaper for the troops: resolutely cheerful, gloriously subversive and packed with jokes, spoofs and sketches designed to lift the spirits of the men on the frontline.
This riotous stage adaptation brings its pages to life, revealing the extraordinary resilience, camaraderie and comic spirit of the men who refused to let the horrors of war have the final word.
A true story of laughter in the darkest of times, The Wipers Times proves that sometimes the best weapon against adversity is a very good joke.
The Watermill Theatre
The Watermill Theatre is a unique producing powerhouse of residential and artistic facilities which provide a crucible for creativity, innovative storytelling, and artistic excellence.
The Watermill’s mission is to make theatre that is surprising, inventive, and exciting and to enable access for everyone.
A hallmark of its work is the artistry of actor-musicianship, in both new writing and reinvigorated classics.
The theatre nurtures and celebrates talent and creativity in its company, community, and in the wider sector and it holds wellbeing, equity, and sustainability at the heart of its culture.
The Watermill Theatre is a small but mighty 200- seat theatre, set in idyllic gardens and nestled on the banks of the river Lambourn in rural West Berkshire, southeast England.
In 2024, the Watermill was awarded the prestigious title of ‘Theatre of the Year’ jointly with the National Theatre.
This award, recognising excellence in British theatre, was bestowed on the Watermill Theatre for its continued ambition as an independent charity, and the success of their 2023 production of The Lord of the Rings.
This multi award-winning production, the Watermill’s most ambitious to date, has subsequently transferred to Chicago, Auckland, and Australia (tour) before it returns to the UK in October 2025.
Reaching far beyond the 200 seats in its auditorium, the Watermill’s productions regularly transfer to the West End or tour the UK and internationally, including Calamity Jane, Spike, Bleak Expectations, Amelie the Musical, Tell Me on a Sunday, and Crazy for You.
With a core belief in the transformative power of the arts, the Watermill Theatre also runs a comprehensive outreach programme, working with children and young people, those from low- income backgrounds, and isolated or displaced communities.
