Operation Mincemeat is a marmite type of a show – you will either love it or hate it.

It’s a kind of irreverent musical comedy drama based on a true story of a brilliant plan that helped Britain win World War 2.

Conceived by four members of Spitlip in 2017 Operation Mincemeat started life on the fringe circuit as a low budget production in 2019 and went on to win  numerous awards including the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2024 as well as three Tony nominations 2025.

Operation Mincemeat is a fast paced hilarious and unbelievable true story of a twisted secret intelligence mission.

Its bursting at the seams with the kind of chaos  you couldn’t invent, the question is: how did a dead body a fake love letter and of all people Ian Fleming come together to deceive Hitler?

The time is 1943 and it looks like we are losing the war. A plan is thought up by British Intelligence. It involves getting a dead body to pass off as an allied pilot who supposedly crashes off the coast of Spain carrying fake invasion plans for the island of Sardinia.

This is to get Hitler to move his forces from the real target – the island of Sicily.

“Its insane but it can work” says one of the bosses of MI5 – and it does changing the tide of the war and leading to victory for Britain.

A cast of five play between them over 80 characters – and what a cast they are. They have super-charged energy, amazing comedy skills and timing and are masters of characterization.

Their characterizations are superb and have real empathy and depth whilst coping with ultra quick costume changes – the cast of Operation Mincemeat are pure gold but above all they are the epitome of pure teamwork.

This is truly an ensemble piece that tests the actors versatility. Katy Ellis (Ewen Montagu and others) drives the production with amazing energy, Sean Carey (Charles Cholmondeley and others ) the brains behind the operation who struggles to find his place in the Eton old boys network is beautifully convincing. Charlotte Hannah Williams (Jean Leslie and others) gives a first rate performance as the typist struggling to get ahead and prove herself in a mans world whilst Jamie-Rose Monk (Johnny Bevan) makes a good stereotype in the roles he plays.

Sean Carey as Charles Cholmondeley)

However its Christian Andrews portrayal of Hester Leggatt  and others who gives a show stopping performance with a from the heart reflection of the effects war has on those left behind. His song “Dear Bill” is a great moment of pathos and Andrews sings it from the heart with true emotion.

Christian Andrews as hester Leggatt

Obeying the announcement made at the beginning of the show “This is a true story… and it is important it remains confidential” – I haven’t gone too much into the intricacies  of the plot of the show.  If you want to know more then Operation Mincemeat is at The Alhambra until 11^th April.

Liz Coggins is a member of The Critics Circle.

Picture by Matt Crockett