Operation Mincemeat (touring) ★★★★★

By The Recs ACT - Alexandra Taylor 9 hours ago

‘Operation Mincemeat’: from a secret mission that won us World War II to a musical that has won our hearts.

Operation Mincemeat is the first musical written by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts. From its debut in 2019, the show has taken theatres by storm, with performances in increasingly larger venues, and a growing collection of accolades, including 2024 Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical. It is the best-reviewed show in West End history, with an ever-increasing number of five star reviews. It has finally begun a UK and a North America tour, with plans for an Australia tour in 2027, and talks of a China tour.

This comedy musical is based on a WWII British deception operation of the same name. Operation Mincemeat tells the story of how Glyndwr Michael, a homeless Welshman, helped deceive Hitler and the Nazis. He was a Trojan Horse, or rather, as the script so aptly puts it, a Trojan Corpse, since MI5 used the dead man’s body, without his or his family’s permission, to plant fake military plans in German hands. Despite the chilling premise, this is an incredible true story, expertly told through song and dance in a variety of musical styles.

Images by Matt Crockett

The show begins in a secret MI5 office, where most of the action, or rather, the thinking, takes place. To put it briefly, “If the muscle men can’t do it, call the masters of deceit”. The scene is immediately set, with most of MI5 declaring that “Some were born to follow, we were born to lead”, and hapless Charles Cholmondeley, played by Seán Carey, admitting that “Some were born to follow, but I was born to find trout”. Ewen Montagu, a maverick played by Holly Sumption, takes Cholmondeley under his wing to support Cholmondeley’s proposal of “Operation Mincemeat”. While Cholmondeley has the brains, he lacks the gumption Montagu possesses in spades. While they make an improbable team, they make an excellent team, working together to spin a story to deceive the Nazis. 

The cast is brilliant. Ewen Montagu, played by Holly Sumption, exudes calm, class, and confidence to the point of arrogance. Seán Carey brings boyish excitement and incredible movements to the role of Charles Cholmondeley, performing a series of jumps that must be setting some sort of record. He also asks well-timed questions like “Does a newt have a penis?” which are comedy gold. Jamie-Rose Monk plays Colonel Johnny Bevan with great authority, owning the stage. As Francis Hasleden, Monk is an energetic bumbling fool that you cannot help but root for. Monk’s range is brilliant. Charlotte Hanna-Williams portrays a charming, ambitious Jean Leslie, with powerful vocals. They sing, they dance, and they do not mince their words.

All the actors are gems, but the biggest and brightest is Christian Andrews, playing Hester Leggatt and others. The entire cast play multiple characters throughout, but Andrews delivers the most impressive transformations, only occasionally supported by fun costumes, as most costume changes are quite simple. From an arrogant, unnamed MI5 member, to the strict, senior secretary Hester Leggatt, to the flamboyant coroner Bernard Spilsbury, and everyone else, Andrews is extraordinary. From the way he holds himself, the way he walks as a character even in dim lighting during a scene change, the way his face and voice change, Andrews shows that he is a sensational actor. As Hester Leggatt, Andrews delivers the most moving song of the show, while writing a fake letter from corpse “Bill’s” fiancée.

The cast skillfully deliver a phenomenal script and lyrics, with incredibly witty one-liners, comebacks, and banter. They are supported by a beautiful array of musical styles, including traditional theatre ballads, hip-hop, rock, burlesque elements, disco, swing, and jazz. There is even a song that gives off Magic Mike boyband vibes. The cast play the audience’s emotions like a yoyo. Do real MI5 staff watching this wonder if they’re missing a beat by not incorporating more song and dance into their day jobs?

Operation Mincemeat is playful, poking fun at a whole host of social issues, occasionally breaking the fourth wall. Whether those leading us through tough times do so because of meritocracy or nepotism. The role of women, and how the World Wars brought them into the workforce. That when you are in charge, you can do what you like. The human cost of war. How there is no applause or fame for the people working diligently in the background, forgotten amongst the shadows of history. Their stories need to be told. Our histories need to be told. The show speaks to the desire to be useful, to feel like life is meaningful, acknowledging that even the smallest action, like making a cup of tea, can help.

Operation Mincemeat is a triumph of British intelligence and British theatre ★★★★★ 5 stars

Operation Mincemeat Tickets

Operation Mincemeat is running at Edinburgh's Kings Theatre until 7 November 2026 and due to phenomenal demand, the tour has been extended and will return to the King's Theatre in 2027.

Edinburgh TicketsRest of The Tour, West End and Broadway

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The Recs ACT - Alexandra Taylor
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