Operation Mincemeat began as a tiny (and tiny-budgeted) production at the London Fringe New Diorama Theatre in 2019. The show quickly gained a devoted following, spurring sold-out runs at venues including Southwark Playhouse and Riverside Studios. It finally premiered in the West End on 9th May 2023 at the Fortune Theatre, where it won the Olivier and WhatsOnstage Awards for ‘Best New Musical’, alongside 74 five-star reviews and counting, and has become the ‘Best reviewed show in West End history.’
It’s also a marvellous fit for the Fortune Theatre, which housed The Woman in Black for decades, but will now surely see a lengthy run for this ingenious, witty, and surprisingly moving show. Devised by troupe SpitLip, who have meticulously crafted the best possible version of the show over the years to make one flawlessly executed production. Likened to Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Noel Coward meets Noel Fielding, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II. The question is, how did a well-dressed corpse wrong-foot Hitler?
The story begins with Charles Cholmondeley a quivering, slightly pathetic young man with a bonkers idea for how to defeat the Germans. No one will listen to him, that is until he meets Ewan Montagu, a man full of swagger and charm Ewan sticks to Charles like glue, convinces him to go through with the plan, and once they start there’s no looking back!
Consistently witty with an unrivalled knack for how to land a joke, this is comic theatre at its finest. With instantly memorable music. 'God that's brilliant' sums up the strong quality numbers with highlights including 'Spilsbury', the haunting shanty ‘Sail on, boys’, the fabulous ‘All the ladies’ and the heartbreaking 'Dear Bill' providing one of the all time great moments in musical theatre. No spoilers but the grand finale also has to be mentioned, it just builds and builds with everything being thrown at it, think big reveal and a lot of big fun!
Operation Mincemeat is spectacular, it has something for everyone. Its funny, heartfelt and poignant with boundless energy, an incredibly talented cast and superb music. Go and see it - you will not be disappointed.
Details
- Address:
- Fortune Theatre
- WC2B 5HH
- Transport:
- Tube - Covent Garden