Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s The Wipers Times transfers to the Arts Theatre

Hit satirical play transfers to London.

It has been announced that Ian Hislop and Nick Newman's satirical play The Wipers Times will transfer to the West End for a limited run at the Arts Theatre from 21 March to 13 May 2017, with an official opening on 27 March 2017.

A stage adaptation of their award-winning BBC film, the play 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. Directed by Caroline Leslie the production comes to London following a UK tour.

"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 sombre 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."

Casting for the West End production includes Kevin Brewer (Henderson), James Dutton (Roberts), George Kemp (Pearson), Jake Morgan (Barnes) and Dan Tetsell (General Mitford).

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman said of the announcement: "A hundred years after World War 1, London audiences will have a chance to see this forgotten true story about a satirical trench newspaper and discover that the black humour of The Wipers Times is still remarkably fresh, funny and poignant. We are thrilled that it 's not going to be all quiet on the West End Front..."

The Wipers Times Tickets are now on sale.