Operation Mincemeat (musical)
| Operation Mincemeat | |
|---|---|
| A New Musical | |
 Promotional image for the original West End production | |
| Music |
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| Lyrics |
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| Book |
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| Setting | 1943, World War Two |
| Basis | Operation Mincemeat |
| Premiere | New Diorama Theatre |
| Productions |
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| Awards | Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical |
Operation Mincemeat is a musical comedy with book, music and lyrics by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts (known as the musical comedy troupe SpitLip).[1] The plot is based on the Operation Mincemeat, a Second World War British deception operation. The show received six Laurence Olivier Award nominations, winning two, which include Best New Musical and Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Jak Malone.
Background[edit]
The basis of the musical is Operation Mincemeat, the 1943 British deception operation to disguise the Allied invasion of Sicily, during the Second World War.[2]
Synopsis[edit]
 | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (February 2024) |
Act I[edit]
In 1943, Naval intelligence officer Ewen Montagu welcomes the audience to MI5, where the "elite" of the British military contribute to the World War II effort ("Born to Lead"). Colonel Johnny Bevan informs his subordinates that the British government requires a strategy to convince the Nazis that the Allied Forces are planning to invade Sardinia rather than their actual (and more obvious) target, Sicily; several officers, including Montagu and Ian Fleming, present their ideas, but despite their conviction of their own brilliance ("God That's Brilliant"), Bevan dismisses them all as uncreative and poorly planned. Sulking after his rejection, Montagu encounters Air Force officer and "amateur naturalist" Charles Cholmondeley, who has formulated a strategy code-named "Operation Mincemeat", but is convinced of its futility after being bullied out of line by Montagu and his colleagues ("Dead in the Water"). Montagu reads his plan, and despite declaring it "insane", recognises its potential and convinces Charles that they should team up to pitch Mincemeat to Bevan, noting his own natural "flair for presentation" ("Dead in the Water (Reprise)").
Meanwhile, secretary Hester Leggett welcomes new clerk Jean Leslie to her team, who disdains the typically side-lined role of women in MI5 and dreams of ranking alongside the male officers ("All the Ladies"). Although Jean tries to stop them while bringing Bevan tea, Montagu and Charles arrive at the last minute to pitch Mincemeat. After Charles fumbles their presentation, Montagu recognises Jean’s worthwhile attempts to help and drafts her in to explain the plan: MI5 will obtain a male corpse, dress it as a British soldier, plant documents on it "revealing" the Allied plans to invade Sardinia, and place it where the Nazis will discover it and – use the documents as cause to move their troops from Sicily ("The Pitch"). Bevan is highly sceptical, but concedes that it is the one decent idea he has heard and allows the operation to proceed, with Jean and Hester officially drafted in as support; however, Hester's covert role is to investigate Montagu, who is believed to be in contact with his brother Ivor, a spy for the Russian government.
Together, Montagu, Charles, Jean and Hester create a fake Royal Marines major, "Bill Martin"; to ensure his identity is "watertight", Hester falsifies numerous identification papers, Montagu and Jean source receipts for a week of leisure in London (by literally having a week of leisure in London), and Charles purchases an engagement ring so the receipt can be on Bill’s person, along with a photograph of Jean posing as Bill's imagined fiancée ("Making a Man"). Charles notices that Montagu occasionally "misplaces" important files, but suppresses his concerns. A corpse, that of an unnamed nomad who ingested rat poison, is obtained with the help of Montagu's morally dubious acquaintance Bernard Spilsbury ("Spilsbury"); the team are concerned about using it without the knowledge and consent of any relatives, let alone knowing his real name, but Montagu is adamant that it is better if the corpse is a "nobody". Bevan is unimpressed by the team's spending spree, but concedes that their creation is believable. As the operation prepares to commence, he declares that Bill should be carrying a letter from his fiancée; after dismissing Charles and Jean’s questionable efforts at writing one ("Love is a Bird"), Hester indirectly relates her own story of the lover she lost during World War I, and agrees to a deeply moved Jean’s request that she write the letter herself ("Dear Bill").
That night, Montagu and Charles arrive in Scotland to load "Bill's" corpse onto the submarine HMS Seraph; its crew are told that the sealed canister contains meteorological equipment ("Sail On, Boys"). Charles is deeply insecure about the result of the operation, but is swayed by Montagu into celebrating its completion, later witnessing a brief meeting between the latter and Ivor ("Just For Tonight"); meanwhile, after enduring enemy attacks, the crew of the Seraph are unnerved by the contents of the canister but follow their orders, placing Bill in the sea beyond the Spanish coast before thanking him for his service.
Act II[edit]
The German army present a display of their apparent dominance ("Das Übermensch"). After reprimanding the audience for "appreciating" the enemy, Bevan relates the progression of Mincemeat and reveals that a problem has arisen ("Bevan's Update"). The team await news from Vice-Consul Francis Haselden in Huelva, but are dismayed to learn that the victim of an aeroplane accident he calls to report is a live American soldier, also named William; they fear it will make Bill’s story less believable. Moments later, they learn Bill has also been recovered, and they instruct Haselden to make sure the briefcase holding the false plans is seized by the Nazi-populated Spanish authorities, amidst news that the latter are indeed suspicious and have ordered an autopsy ("The Ballad of Willie Watkins"). Meanwhile, Bevan calls the team into his office to reveal that the original problem was entirely different: Spilsbury's methodology is flawed and he should not have been trusted with the operation ("Spilsbury Reprise"). Montagu insists that Mincemeat is running smoothly despite the setbacks, but Bevan orders the immediate abortion of all plans ("I Call Abort"); however, this fails to reach Haselden, who diligently ensures that the autopsy is rushed and the briefcase reaches the authorities. Charles and Jean attempt to keep working through the crises, but Montagu believes they can do no more and simply wants to enjoy himself; he is hurt by Jean reminding him that their London excursions were merely for the operation. After an animated reprimanding by Bevan for his nonchalance and failure to obtain consent for the use of Bill's body, Montagu fully dismisses Jean's role in Mincemeat and orders her to go back to her role as a clerk and assistant. Furious and humiliated, Jean confesses to Hester that she'd pictured the veneration they'd receive if the operation was a success; Hester gently persuades her that not everyone who works for a cause will be recognised, but that does not make them any less valuable – whether they are spearheading an operation or making tea – and Jean thanks her for helping her to "grow" ("Useful"). Hester is inspired to disclose the suspicion around Montagu's brother, and Jean agrees to swallow her pride and investigate. Charles once again catches Montagu hiding files, and after Montagu describes tactics for getting people to trust him, Charles also begins investigating him; meanwhile, Haselden is ordered to drop hints that the British desperately want Bill’s briefcase back, Hester worries about the increasing number of missing documents, and Bevan tries to keep plans for the Sicilian invasion afloat ("Act as If"). Eventually, Montagu discovers Charles, Jean and Hester going through his possessions; despite his protests, they read his files, and learn that he is actually writing a film script about Mincemeat depicting himself as a hero; he was secreting files so that he could archive them for personal use, being careful not to let them into the wrong hands, and he was talking to Ivor – a filmmaker – to get his opinion on a rough, censored draft of the script. While appalled that he intends to sensationalise their story, Charles, Jean, and Hester conclude that Montagu is innocent.
An update from Bevan then confirms that Haselden's whisper campaign has worked, and Adolf Hitler himself has ordered the transfer of German troops from Sicily to Sardinia. The Allies subsequently invade Sicily with little-to-no bloodshed, and Bevan informs an ecstatic Montagu, Charles, Jean and Hester that Operation Mincemeat is officially a success, and that they will receive the highest level of commendation in the British Army ("Did We Do It?"). As the team celebrate, they observe that the unfortunate moral of their story is that being in power lets you do "whatever you want". To counteract this, they relate a summary of everything that occurred following the success of Mincemeat: the Second World War is won by the Allies with help from the US Army; Ian Fleming goes on to create James Bond; Haselden and his assistant Steve remain in Spain; Hester initiates a romance with Bevan; Jean looks ahead to the progress of feminism during and after the war; Montagu eventually makes (and acts in) his film about Operation Mincemeat; and Charles goes on to do classified work for MI5 ("A Glitzy Finale"). As Bevan finishes relating the events of the operation to his superiors, they wonder who the man known as Bill Martin really was; the audience is told that thanks to Montagu's archives, he was eventually identified as a gardener named Glyndwr Michael, and that there is an inscription in Huelva acknowledging that he served in the Second World War as Major William Martin ("Sail On, Boys (Reprise)").
Production history[edit]
Off-West End (2019–2022)[edit]
An early version of the show was first performed in 2019. Since then it has been staged in London at the New Diorama Theatre (2019) and Southwark Playhouse (2020, 2021, 2022)[3] and Riverside Studios (2022).[4]
West End (2023)[edit]
The musical began previews on 29 March 2023 at the Fortune Theatre in the West End.[5] Originally scheduled to close after 9 July 2023, the production has been extended multiple times after receiving rave reviews from audiences and critics, and is now an open-ended run.[6]
On 4 April 2024, it was announced that Operation Mincemeat would be available for licensed amateur productions through Concord Theatricals.[7]
Roles and casts[edit]
The five members of the principal cast each play multiple roles, often gender-swapped.[8]
| Character | World Premiere[9] | Off-West End[10] | West End[11] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2020–2022 | 2023 | |
| Charles Cholmondeley and others | David Cumming | ||
| Jean Leslie and others | Rory Furey-King | Claire-Marie Hall | |
| Ewen Montagu and others | Natasha Hodgson | ||
| Hester Leggett, Bernard Spilsbury and others | Jak Malone | ||
| Johnny Bevan, Ian Fleming and others | Zoë Roberts | ||
Musical numbers[edit]
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Act I
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Act II
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Keys
- † Not included on the cast recording.
- ‡ On the cast recording divided between the two tracks "Did We Do It?" and "A Glitzy Finale".
Cast recording[edit]
The original West End cast recording for Operation Mincemeat was released on 12 May 2023 on streaming platforms and physically on CD and vinyl.[12] It was released by Sony Music and produced by Steve Sidwell.[13]
Critical reception[edit]
Among generally favourable reviews, David Benedict of Variety compared the show favourably to the Broadway musical Hamilton.[10][14][15][16][17] It was listed in the Observer's Top 10 shows of the year when it opened at the New Diorama Theatre in 2019.[18] The transfer to the Fortune Theatre London received 64 five star reviews, making it the best reviewed show in West End history.[citation needed]
Benedict, in his review of the Southwark Playhouse production, wrote, "this is the musical you didn’t know you needed – until you see the expert cast of five embracing and racing through a clutch of preposterous yet endearing characters and musical styles, telling a story with delicious precision".[10] Reviewing the Riverside Studios production in Gay Times, Chris Selman wrote, "the songs are brilliant, the script is smart, the jokes are hilarious; more than that, though, this ingenious production manages to create an entire world and substantial cast on a shoestring budget with a tiny ensemble".[19]
Awards and nominations[edit]
Off-West End production[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | West End Wilma Awards | Best Off-West End Show | Operation Mincemeat | Nominated |
| Rising star | Jak Malone | Nominated | ||
| Best Performer In An Off-West End Show | Jak Malone | Nominated | ||
| 2019 | Stage Debut Awards | Best Composer/Lyricist | David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts | Won |
| The Offies | Best New Musical | Operation Mincemeat | Nominated | |
| Best Company Ensemble | Operation Mincemeat | Nominated | ||
| Best Set Design | Helen Coyston | Nominated | ||
| Best Musical Director | Felix Hagan | Nominated | ||
| Best Sound Design | Dan Balfour | Nominated |
West End production[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | West End Wilma Awards | Best West End Show | Operation Mincemeat | Won |
| Rising star | Jak Malone | Won | ||
| Best Performer In A West End Show | Natasha Hodgson | Nominated | ||
| Best Understudy | Holly Sumpton | Won | ||
| 2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards[20] | Best New Musical | Won | |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Natasha Hodgson | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Performer in a Musical | Jak Malone | Nominated | ||
| Best Graphic Design | Bob King Creative | Nominated | ||
| Laurence Olivier Awards[21] | Best New Musical | David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts (Music, Lyrics, and Book) | Won | |
| Best Actor in a Musical | David Cumming | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress in a Musical | Natasha Hodgson | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Jak Malone | Won | ||
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Zoë Roberts | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Musical Contribution | Steve Sidwell (Orchestrations), Joe Bunker (Musical Direction) | Nominated | ||
Historical research[edit]
A group of fans of the musical, known as Mincefluencers, were inspired to research into the real life of the character Hester Leggett, as little was known about her. They discovered that her surname was spelled Leggatt, and that she worked for Osbert Sitwell in the 1930s, for MI5 during the Second World War and later for the British Council.[22][23][24] On 11 December 2023, a plaque was installed at the Fortune Theatre in commemoration of Hester Leggatt and her service to her country.[25][26]
External links[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Operation Mincemeat | Whats On". New Diorama. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
- ^ "In 'Operation Mincemeat,' the Theater of War Is a Comedy". New York Times. 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
- ^ "Southwark Playhouse – Operation Mincemeat".
- ^ "Operation Mincemeat". Riverside Studios. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
- ^ Thomas, Sophie (2022-11-18). "'Operation Mincemeat' to transfer to the West End". London Theatre. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "Operation Mincemeat extends again at the West End's Fortune Theatre [Updated]". www.westendtheatre.com. 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ a b "Operation Mincemeat". Concord Theatricals. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ "Operation Mincemeat review – irrepressible wartime musical is a West End triumph". The Guardian. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
- ^ Wood, Alex (20 May 2019). "Review: Operation Mincemeat (New Diorama Theatre)". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ a b c Benedict, David (2021-09-01). "'Operation Mincemeat' Review: Hilarious Small-Scale Musical Could Become a Big Hit". Variety. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
- ^ Millward, Tom (3 March 2023). "Complete cast for Operation Mincemeat in the West End confirmed". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ Putnam, Leah (12 May 2023). "Original London Cast Recording of Operation Mincemeat Drops May 12". Playbill. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ "'Operation Mincemeat' To Release Original Cast Recording In May". indiependent.co.uk. The Indiependent. 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
- ^ Omaweng, Chris (2022-06-14). "Operation Mincemeat at Riverside Studios". LondonTheatre1. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
- ^ "Glittering World War II musical Operation Mincemeat is funnier than Hamilton – review". The Independent. 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
- ^ Curtis, Nick (2022-01-19). "Operation Mincemeat review: a larky fringe hit with surprising depths". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
- ^ Williams, Holly. "Operation Mincemeat: glorious spoof musical about an eccentric real-life WWII operation". Time Out London. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
- ^ Clapp, Susannah. (29 December 2019). "Susannah Clapp's best theatre of 2019". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ Selman, Chris (2022-06-14). "Hilarious musical Operation Mincemeat is one of the best shows in town – review". Gay Times. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
- ^ "Nominations in full: 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards". 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ "Olivier awards 2024: complete list of nominations". The Guardian. 2024-03-12. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ "Fan campaign confirms lost Operation Mincemeat character details". What's On Stage. 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
- ^ Macintyre, Ben (2023-09-09). "How musical fans forced MI5 to come clean". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
- ^ "Dear Hester: how fans uncovered a missing piece of Operation Mincemeat's history". The Stage. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "Operation Mincemeat to unveil plaque for Hester Leggatt following search for character's history". What's On Stage. 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
- ^ Clarke, Paul (31 December 2023). "Looking back at 2023 – part two". Event Photography London. Retrieved 8 January 2024.