ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, 8 MARCH 2024
FT. THE ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING (SIDE A) & RECORDING LIVE FROM THE WEST END’S FORTUNE THEATRE (SIDE B)
PRE-ORDER HERE
“It’s [‘Dear Bill’] deeply touching, beautifully delivered by Malone and encapsulates the heart of the show”
Sarah Hemming, The Financial Times
“the amazing song that everyone loves, and everyone remembers is ‘Dear Bill’, because it brings a tear to even the stoniest of eyes”
Nick Clark, The Evening Standard
“Whatever is next for this production, expect his [Malone’s] rendition of Dear Bill to be breaking hearts for some time to come.”
Emma John, The Guardian
“I wept buckets today listening to the wonderful musical Operation Mincemeat. The song Dear Bill would destroy a standing stone.”
Naomi Alderman, The Times
“Malone sings Hester’s heartfelt solo “Dear Bill”, about a letter to a long-ago wartime sweetheart, with such quiet emotional force and truth that much audience snuffling could be heard.”
Fiona Mountford, The i
“That one song [Dear Bill] by Malone as Hester Leggett is still the highlight of a thousand highlights in this show – only now it’s possibly the highlight of the entire West End.”
Jim Compton Hall, The Upcoming
67 ★★★★★ reviews and counting
London, 20th December 2024 Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical – 67 five-star reviews and counting – “a hilarious new musical that rivals The Book of Mormon for laughs” (Vogue), has recently extended its West End run for the seventh time through 22nd September 2024.
Based on the extraordinary true story during World War II, the elaborate scheme is largely attributed to Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley. However, until recently, little was known about one of the less-regarded female protagonists – MI5 secretary Hester Leggatt. Following dedicated fans of Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical successfully uncovering the missing pieces of her life, 1000 people attended a plaque unveiling in her honour last week at the Fortune Theatre, six months after the show’s West End premiere.
To celebrate this special moment for the production, Sony Music is delighted to announce the upcoming release of a limited-edition 7″ yellow vinyl featuring the “West End’s most unlikely showstopper” (WhatsOnStage), Hester Leggatt’s heartfelt solo sung by Jak Malone, who portrays Leggatt on-stage, to coincide with International Women’s Day on 8 March 2024.
The 7-inch single will come with the original cast recording on the A-side and a live recording from the Fortune Theatre on the B-side. The vinyl can be pre-ordered here, while tickets for the musical are available from the Official Box Office here.
Grammy Award winning and Tony, Emmy, Olivier award nominated Steve Sidwell (Beautiful: The Musical, Broadway & Aldwych Theatre) is the producer, arranger, orchestrator and musical director behind this limited-edition vinyl. ‘Dear Bill’ is written by SpitLip, David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hogdson & Zoë Roberts, and sung by Jak Malone.
Born on 20 December 1905, the news coincides with Hester Leggatt’s birthday, recently discovered by the musical’s fans.
SpitLip, the musical’s writers and composers, said: “We are incredibly excited to announce the release of this special limited-edition vinyl including a live theatre recording of ‘Dear Bill’ on International Women’s Day. The remarkable efforts of our show’s dedicated fans, resulting in the discovery of Hester Leggatt’s identity and the unveiling of a plaque in her honour, has been truly extraordinary. It brings us immense joy to celebrate Hester through this song, which we created specifically as her solo in the musical.”
Jak Malone said: “I love performing Dear Bill each night. I’m so happy that Hester’s legacy will be further marked by this release to coincide with International Women’s Day. A day when it is important to remember the women who have made an impact, both on our own lives and on the world at large. I think Hester’s story is a “shining example” of just that. I’m particularly excited about the addition of a live recording from the show, listeners are able to hear what ‘Dear Bill’ sounds like on any given night here at The Fortune theatre. I hope you have your tissues handy!”
Operation Mincemeat is presented in the West End by Avalon (in association with SpitLip), who have supported since the Southwark Playhouse runs. The show was commissioned by New Diorama Theatre, co-commissioned by The Lowry, and also supported by the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Now starting to gain international acclaim including titles from the USA -“My far-and-away favorite production” (The New Yorker), Israel – “A story about the impossible that was possible…The guys who put on a show with zero budget conquered the most coveted goal of all. The mouse that roared… Fly to London now, right now” (Shlomut by Globes) and Germany –“stands out from the plethora of West End productions…The current must-see show” (Musicalzentrale), the extraordinary debut musical is written and composed by SpitLip – David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts.
After five sold-out development runs at the New Diorama Theatre in 2019 and Southwark Playhouse in 2020, 2021 & 2022, plus an extended Riverside Studios run last summer, Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical is back.
The year is 1943 and we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse.
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 production is directed by 2023 Olivier Award nominated Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, National Theatre – 2023 Best New Musical Olivier Award winner), following providing directorial support for the Riverside Studios run, while Olivier Award nominated Jenny Arnold (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre) continues as Choreographer. Also from Standing at the Sky’s Edge at the National Theatre on the creative team are: 2023 Olivier Award nominated Ben Stones (Sylvia, The Old Vic) as Set and Costume Designer, Tony Award, six-time Olivier Award and Bafta Award winning Mark Henderson (Girl From the North Country, Broadway & Noël Coward Theatre) as Lighting Designer and Olivier Award winning Mike Walker (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre) as Sound Designer. Grammy Award winning and Tony, Emmy, Olivier award nominated Steve Sidwell (Beautiful: The Musical, Broadway & Aldwych Theatre) is Orchestrator and Vocal Arranger, while 2023 Stage Debut Award ‘Best creative West End debut’ nominated Joe Bunker is Musical Director. Georgie Staight joins as Associate Director and Paul Isaiah Isles as Associate Choreographer. Casting is by Pearson Casting.
Operation Mincemeat won The Stage Debut award for Best Composer/Lyricist and the Off-West End award for Best Musical Production and Best Company Ensemble. Following the first New Diorama Theatre run, Operation Mincemeat was listed in The Observer’s Top 10 shows of the year, and has subsequently been featured as Bloomberg’s number 1 show of the year, in The Washington Post’s Top 10 shows of the year and The Independent’s Top 15 shows of the year. The show is currently featured in the V&A’s Re:Imagining Musicals display, exploring how musicals have continuously reimagined, reinvented and reinterpreted themselves over time.
What The Press Said:
67 ★★★★★ reviews
“The Brits have made the year’s funniest musical…a hit in London’s West End and may head across the Atlantic…rewriting the playbook for originality.…Against the odds, the “Operation Mincemeat” gang has found its way to the big time.”
Peter Marks, The Washington Post
“irrepressible wartime musical is a West End triumph”
Emma John, The Guardian
“Hilarious tale makes Mincemeat out of its rivals…Before curtain I talked to a fan seeing this for the seventh time. I wondered why anyone would see the same show seven times. Now I know”
Neil Armstrong, The Mail On Sunday
“LAUGHING so hard I could barely breathe is not what I expected for a musical about a World War II top-secret plan.…the perfect invasion of the West End. Long may they occupy it.”
Thea Jacobs, The Sun
“the feel-good West End musical of the summer…The reviews for the show have been ecstatic… the overwhelming impression is of hopefulness, expansiveness, possibility and joy.”
Alexis Soloski, The New York Times
“My far-and-away favorite production—and a complete surprise to me—was the musical “Operation Mincemeat… a comedy that has been cheerfully dismantling jingoism builds a stirring vision of real fellowship in its place.”
Helen Shaw, The New Yorker
“mission improbable is a runaway hit…SpitLip honour as well as spoof with their all-conquering espionage musical…It’s a hoot – and a marvel. It is also one of the surprise survivors of the pandemic-stricken theatre. A show that looked like a caper with a cult following is on the brink of commercial success… Its rise, in an era of juggernaut musicals, is flabbergasting…nimbly varied, expressive music, ranging from sea shanty, to jazz to hip-hop; lyrics so patteringly exact and ingeniously rhymed that Noël Coward might have flushed with envy.”
Susannah Clapp, The Observer
“a Pythonesque wartime romp that doesn’t short-change the intellect… a delight…this inventive gem of a night is in with a very good fighting chance of resounding victory”
Dominic Cavendish, The Daily Telegraph
“Pure theatrical serotonin, it’s a show that will leave you with a spring in your step”
Hugh Montgomery, Metro
“a daring, ridiculous and unapologetic piece of theatre that leaves us completely credulous in trying to understand just how earth they created something so sensational and pulled it off… an incredible emotional range… The songs are unforgettable and all of them add to the insanity of this musical… The comedy is insanely clever and absurd; this musical is a fun space that challenges but doesn’t look to offend in the name of being funny… such an amazing experience to watch it… an incredibly well-written musical… Unfortunately five stars is the limit, I would happily give many more.”
Cindy Marcolina, Broadway World
“a real triumph… has potential to become a cult classic. Go see it now with the original cast, so you can brag about it for years.”
Sarah Rappaport, Bloomberg
“The West End show you need tickets for, now. Operation Mincemeat is this summer’s smash hit”
Sam Marlowe, The i
“a daring, ridiculous and unapologetic piece of theatre that leaves us completely credulous in trying to understand just how on earth they created something so sensational and pulled it off… an incredible emotional range… The songs are unforgettable and all of them add to the insanity of this musical… The comedy is insanely clever and absurd; this musical is a fun space that challenges but doesn’t look to offend in the name of being funny… such an amazing experience to watch it… an incredibly well-written musical… Unfortunately five stars is the limit, I would happily give many more.”
Katerina Partolina Schwartz, Broadway Baby
“the show becomes cult. In a surprising and almost unprecedented move, the small show takes to the stage of the big ones…a fairy tale of the most beloved, and rare, kind of show business. A story about the impossible that was possible and more. A story of victory against all odds ….brilliant, exciting and unforgettable theatre….. The guys who put on a show with zero budget conquered the most coveted goal of all. The mouse that roared. That in itself is an astounding, rare and enviable and inspiring achievement in equal measure…It is difficult to explain this special phenomenon, which is undoubtedly the most heartwarming theatrical event of recent years. There are incessant laughs, endless punchlines…something extraordinary is happening here… Fly to London now, right now, and you’ll understand what it’s all about. Only when you experience Operation Meatball will you realize that everything they said about the show was true, and pass the word on. That’s how hits are born, that’s how legends are born, and that’s how history is made.”
Yaron Fried, Shlomut by Globes (Israel)
“There are some big, blowsy shows around in the West End, but this little belter is staging its own audacious invasion plan.”
Suzi Feay, The Financial Times
“a miraculous musical that tells the entire story in a kind of accelerated farce that is part Mel Brooks, part SIX, part Hamilton with a side order of One Man, Two Guvnors.”
Neil Norman, The Daily Mirror
“a little show with a very big future.”
David Benedict, Variety
“But whoof! It blew the roof clean off. Hoots and tears welcomed this ingenious, touching musical. Taut lyrics, vintage gags, a wild tale and tunes that followed me out into the night air, in hums and whistles. Perfection… An artisanal masterpiece”
Luke Jones, The Daily Mail
“At a time when London’s musical theatre landscape is flooded with film adaptations and Broadway imports, Operation Mincemeat is that rare thing: an original British musical… lyrics as smart and snappy as Hamilton and a book as silly as the greatest slapstick comedies”
Isobel Lewis, The Independent
“Sometimes the jokes hit you so quickly that you barely have time to laugh before the next one comes sweeping along….gloriously inventive musical…brilliantly evoked by a multitasking, gender-switching cast of five…The songs, given a contemporary veneer, sometimes veering into Hamilton rap territory, are crafted with infinite care…Amid the mayhem, it’s touching to see the actors pay homage to the memory of the homeless man, Glyndwr Michael”
Clive Davis, The Times
“It’s a cause for great celebration when such a joyously homegrown, idiosyncratically British new comedy musical lands in the West End… insanely hard-working quick-change cast… The show is witty, mocking, camp and joyous, not to mention immensely tuneful – the songs are both clever and catchy… Anyone with even the slightest interest in homegrown success stories should wish Operation Mincemeat the very best of British.”
Fiona Mountford, The i
“The best show in town is back – bigger and better than ever…makes its West End debut with a bigger budget and just as much heart and hilarity. Do not miss!…The little show that roared in the face of blockbuster has executed a flawless transition to mainstream triumph with impeccable class, quicksilver shine and its trademark plucky determination to remain true to itself. It’s as fabulously funny, wickedly witty and magnificently moving as before – just with added sequins…Madcap and utterly marvellous…extraordinarily talented cast…blends every musical genre and delivers a dazzling array of pastiche treats and belly laughs, backed by the excellent live band…This show was already a major triumph, now it is sheer perfection.”
Stefan Kyriazis, The Sunday Mirror
“an exuberant, energetic, incurably daft show …wit, charm, a subversive attitude to gender, a surprising amount of pathos, and a Eurobeat number for a Nazi boyband (yes, really)…It’s an embodiment of the eccentric British exceptionalism it both celebrates and mocks…a marvellously bluff, gruff, freewheeling parody of cocksure masculinity….undeniably funny…The script is nimble; the songs riff through period genres from Noel Coward numbers to stirring sea shanties; the rhymes are inspired…This show could be just what the West End needs.”
Nick Curtis, Evening Standard
“a fringe theatre comet that’s gathered mass and momentum… a delight from start to finish… chemistry really is off the chart…I think it’s safe to say that the operation has been a total success.”
Andrzej Lukowski, Time Out
“high-octane musical comedy hits the big time…hilarious … a glorious parade of witty stagecraft… a triumph of ingenuity… guaranteed to give your ability to grin and giggle a strenuous, much needed workout.”
Helen Hawkins, The Arts Desk
“the perfect blend of everything we want from a musical – a delightfully witty sense of humour, yet with real heart… Inventive, creative, and endlessly enjoyable – we can’t recommend this show enough. If you’ve not seen it, do yourself a favour and pick up a ticket!”
Chris Selman, Gay Times
“A corpsing comedy that deserves its cult hit status…a deft pastiche…spectacularly successful …brilliantly funny”
Tim Walker, The New European
“the macabre yet tender musical comedy we all need…Corpses, conspiracies and constant laughs, Operation Mincemeat is a brilliant new addition to the West End.”
Olivia Garrett, Radio Times
“the zany toast of the West End”
Patrick Marmion, The Daily Mail
“If you only see one musical this year, make it Operation Mincemeat…the songs are very catchy, the script is hilarious, and the actors’ performances are tip-top. It’s innovative, moving, uplifting and entertaining and I just can’t recommend it enough.”
Ed Gleave, Daily Star Sunday
“the great thing about Operation Mincemeat is that it knows at every point why this is a dialogue scene, why this is a sung scene, why this bit is serious and why this bit isn’t… the thing about Mincemeat is its just smart. Like Hamilton, it knows what it’s doing and why”
David Benedict, BBC Radio 4
“wowing audiences with its hilarious and wildly entertaining musical”
Boyd Hilton, Heat Magazine
“a buzz louder than a doodlebug surrounds Operation Mincemeat…a kind of genius declares itself”
Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph
“With dry British humour and solid slapstick, the ensemble races through the story at high speed and leaves surprising pauses for emotional goose bumps…”Operation Mincemeat” stands out from the plethora of West End productions… You leave the theatre with tears in your eyes. With tears of laughter and tears of emotion. You have to do that first. The current must-see show in London’s West End!” ★★★★★
Ingo Goellner, Musicalzentrale (Germany)
“Right now, it’s Operation Mincemeat that has people talking. With a huge number of 5* reviews the fast-paced, hilarious production centres around the most bizarre true story you’ve ever heard.”
Daniella Scott, Cosmopolitan
“Showcases the utterly bonkers plot in the most fantastical way… cannot recommend it enough – perfectly cast… beyond doubt one of the most brilliant, funny, captivating shows with proper laugh-out-loud moments… you won’t be disappointed”
Zara Janjua, The Sun
“They just go for it: huge facial expressions, beautifully weird delivery of lines for maximum comic effect, clownish movement… It is that balance of comedy and heart that is this show’s great strength…A brilliant spy thriller, a brilliant comedy, and a brilliant musical all rolled into one, it is exhilarating to see it hit the West End.”
Tim Bano, The Stage
“there are resonances of everything from Hamilton and Six to Gilbert and Sullivan. There are also homages to Monty Python and Mel Brooks, and even a nod to Flanders and Swann. It feels both utterly contemporary and nostalgically throw-back. And it balances genuine hilarity with enormous heart… The five-strong cast are uniformly excellent… it more than delivers, and stands a shining example of homegrown talent – among many things it’s just so very, very British. It’s also a reminder of why these smaller West End theatres are so vitally important, and are wasted when clogged up by longrunners. But having said that, I don’t anticipate the Fortune being available again for some time to come.”
Theo Bosanquet, WhatsOnStage
Praise on social media for Operation Mincemeat:
“I saw @mincemeatlive this week and was blown away by it. Laughed AND cried. Do anything you can to get a ticket”
Dolly Alderton, Sunday Times columnist
“Saw Operation Mincemeat last night in the West End. I don’t normally like musicals, but this was incredible! The funniest show I’ve seen since Book of Mormon @mincemeatlive”
Russell Howard, Comedian
“@mincemeatlive is so brilliant. I am not a musicals person usually so believe me when I say this was very funny and the songs, chorea, staging were so excellent”
Alice Levine, Presenter and Broadcaster
“EXCELLENT!”
Daisy Ridley, Actor
“Just to say, we (whole family, 10 year old up to me) really enjoyed #operationmincemeat at the Fortune Theatre. An unlikely musical, believe the hype, genuinely brilliant.”
Alex Horne, Comedian
“Saw the opening night of the brilliant #operationmincemeat last night at the @fortunetheatre1. Funny, sharp and so moving I cannot recommend it enough. @DaveyCumming, @Natasha Hodgson, @ZoeBobRoberts, @JakMalonee and @ClaireMarie612 are all jaw droppingly good. @mincemeatlive”
Reece Shearsmith, Comedian/ Actor
“Watched the musical OPERATION MINCEMEAT last night in London. Wow! If you like laughing, crying and just being thoroughly entertained… go and see it! @mincemeatlive outstanding!”
Chris Ramsey
“Fellow musical theatre pals!!! You MUST go and see @mincemeatlive if you’re in London/ I’ve not stopped grinning for two hours!”
Rosie Ramsey
“Went to the opening night of #OperationMincemeat tonight. I saw it at Riverside Studios and loved it but the new West End staging is a real triumph. A funny, warm, original new musical, with brilliant songs and magnificent performances”
Matt Lucas, Comedian/ Actor
“fantastically entertaining and oddly moving… and extravagantly talented cast, a gripping story, really funny and fresh.”
Al Murray, Comedian
“Well Operation Mincemeat at @FortuneTheatre1 was brilliant – genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever seen in the West End – @DaveyCumming, @Natasha Hodgson, @ZoeBobRoberts, @JakMalonee and @ClaireMarie612 are all geniuses and Jenny Arnold’s choreography was a joy”
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian Chief Film Critic
“A splendid evening at the launch of @mincemeatlive last night. Really funny, and with a huge heart. Wonderful performances all round – huge congratulations to the cast. You must be exhausted! Book now!”
Ben Willbond, Actor
“Very much enjoyed @mincmeatlive Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune Theatre last night. Funny, moving, spectacular and yet still true to its roots. Go and see it if you can!”
Richard Herring, Comedian
“Just seen the phenomenally inventive and entirely surprising OPERATION MINCEMEAT @mincemeatlive, which on its long journey from the fringe to the West End has been much enhanced but not lost its scrappy wit now that it comes with much added glitz. A palpable hit!”
Mark Shenton, Theatre Critic
“This show was witty, funny and incredibly moving (after one unexpected solo I could hear everybody sniffling around me). It was mind-blowing to see a cast of only 5 people play various roles, taking on multiple accents and personalities AND having to sing and perform at that level for over two hours. I would describe it as a Hamilton and Book of Mormon love child if it were written and directed by Richard Curtis with his infectious, British charm. It was truly such a joy and I would see this show again tomorrow and take as many friends as possible with me”
TamsinAmy, Lifestyle and Culture influencer
“Hilarious, camp, innovative and covertly queer take on history. Very fun, great songs and proof that unexpected stories make the best musicals”
Jamie Windust, Gay Times
“Standing ovations 2 nights in a row! You gotta see this show! I loved it!”
Lou Sanders, Comedian
“10/10 Highly recommend Must see Best thing I’ve seen in ages. Go go go”
Grace Hopper, Kiss Breakfast Producer
“Saw the Operation Mincemeat musical at @RiversideLondon tonight and it was a joy. Go.”
David Baddiel, Comedian
“This is a phenomenal show and everyone should see it.”
Chris Addison, Comedian
“Absolutely loved @mincemeatlive. So well written, AMAZING performances by everyone in the tiny cast and most impressively of all, a musical with excellent jokes. Go see it at @RiversideLondon before the run ends on July 23rd.”
Ed Gamble, Comedian
“Just seen Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune Theatre. Might be the best thing I’ve ever seen – genuinely”
“Just saw @mincemeatlive at the @FortuneTheatre1 and it’s genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever seen. Blew my head clean off, steal a ticket if you have to”
Pierre Novellie, Comedian
“Just saw @mincemeatlive on the west end after enjoying it loads last year off-west end and wowww they have absolutely aniled it. Even MORE joyful and fun and moving and silly and brilliant. Please honestly go and see e it. Go go go go (go)”
“Cannot overstate how good @mincemeatlive is. Saw it last year, and again tonight and my god have they rose to the west end challenge. It is LIQUID JOY”
Stevie Martin, Comedian
“Saw @mincemeatlive tonight, cackled and cried. @JackMalonee singing about a lost War love is worth the ticket price alone”
Elllie O’Mahoney, Fabulous Magazine
“Far and away the greatest new British musical in years. An immaculately and farcically told true story of military deception. This is truly top-tier theatre.”
Max Shetland, Theatre influencer
“So good to see the five-star reviews coming in for the primped and shiny new West End version of Operation Mincemeat – such a big hearted, witty, brilliant show”
Alexandra Coghlan, Classical Music journalist
“OPERATION MINCEMEAT is the greatest new British musical in years. The writer/performers are magnificent and have created something hilarious, heart-warming, smart and original.”
Matt Lucas, Comedian
“It was like the camp funness of Six, the rappiness of Hamilton, the Britishy-murdery- over the topness of Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”
Jack Remmington, Singer and Presenter
“Everyone MUST go and see @mincemeatlive – joyful, hilarious and incredibly moving. The best musical I’ve seen in years. Loved it!”
Henry Lewis, Mischief Theatre Artistic Director
Notes To Editors
- The last musical produced by Jon Thoday for Avalon, Jerry Springer: The Opera, led to a prosecution for blasphemy. So far, Operation Mincemeat seems to be heading towards a happier conclusion.
- In May 2023, to celebrate the West End premiere Sony Music released the full Original London Cast Recording on CD, vinyl, streaming and digital. Listen here. To date, the tracks have been streamed over 2 million times worldwide.
- In June 2023, Sony Masterworks Broadway picked up the Original Cast Recording digitally and on CD in the United States.
- In July 2023, the musical’s fandom, referred to as Mincefluencers, tracked down previously unearthed records for Hester Leggatt (played by Jak Malone/ Christian Andrews), the head of the MI5 secretarial division who helped turned the tide of history. More information here.
- In August 2023, MI5 officially confirmed the identity of Hester Leggatt.
- In August 2023, Reece Shearsmith hosted a post-show Q&A
- In August 2023, following#OperationInterestingMan starting to mysteriously appear on X/Twitter over the Bank Holiday weekend, over 80 Mincefluencers surprised a performance in costumes from every different character in the musical. In total, the five person multi rolling cast play 32 characters.
- In August 2023, a decision to ban the posters for Operation Mincemeaton the London Underground was reversed by Transport for London.
- In October 2023, Frank Skinner hosted a post-show Q&A.
- On 11th December 2023 a plaque in honour of Hester Leggatt was unveiled at the Fortune Theatre.
- The idea of the musical came through Natasha Hodgson’s brother pointing SpitLip towards an episode of the Stuff You Should Know podcast about Operation Mincemeat.
- Other adaptations of Operation Mincemeat include: –
- Operation Heartbreak (book, 1950) by Duff Cooper, former Cabinet Minister of Information
- The Man Who Never Was (book, 1953) by Ewan Montagu
- The Man Who Never Was (film, 1956) based on the book by Ewan Montagu
- Operation Mincemeat (book, 2010) by Ben MacIntyre
- Operation Mincemeat (film, 2022) starring Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen
- ‘Top secret’ documents found on the aforementioned stolen body, include the receipt for a diamond ring from the legendary London jeweller, S J Phillips and theatre tickets from the West End’s Prince of Wales Theatre, currently housing The Book of Mormon.
Listings Information
Official Box Office
www.OperationMincemeat.com
Venue
Fortune Theatre
Russell Street
London
WC2B 5HH
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line)
Performances
OPERATION MINCEMEAT
Until 22nd September 2024
Monday to Fridays at 7.30pm
Saturdays at 8pm
Tuesday and Saturday Matinees at 3pm
Christmas week – 26th through 31st December
Tuesday 26th to Saturday 30th at 7.30pm
Wednesday 27th to Saturday 30th Matinees at 3pm
New Year’s Eve at 5pm
Access performances
See venue website for full schedule
Ticket Prices
£19.50-£89.50
Group Prices
Group price comprising of £10 off (per ticket) for groups of 10+ and £20 off (per ticket) for groups of 30+. Promo codes here.
Family Price
Family price comprising of £10 off (per ticket) for family parties of 6+ in a single booking for the same performance here
Loyalty Price
Loyalty price comprising of £10 off per ticket for 6+ groups available for those who have seen the show more than twice. Apply here.
Ballot
From 17th June–22nd September 2024, Monday shows will be exclusively available through the second ballot here. The ballot is free to enter (one entry per customer, up to 6 tickets per customer.)
Lottery
Lottery tickets are accessible here. £25 tickets are available Wednesday – Saturday.
Keep up to date on social media
Twitter/ Instagram / TikTok: @MincemeatLive @OperationMincemeatLive @spitlip #OperationMincemeat #GodThatsBrilliant @FortuneTheatre1
‘Dear Bill’ 7” Vinyl Credits
Writers David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson & Zoë Roberts
Cast Jak Malone
Side A. Dear Bill
Piano & MD Joe Bunker
Percussion Lewis Jenkins & Julian Poole
Flute Howard Mcgill
Clarinet Martin Williams
Cello Josephine Knight
Arranger, Orchestrator & MD Steve Sidwell
Recorded at Masterchord & The Library mixed at The Library
Recording Assistants Chris Vella & George Rose
Music Preparation Richard Sidwell
Musicians Contractor Paul Spong & Rachel Deighton on behalf of Music Creation
Album Coordinator & Artist Liaison Celia Dugua
Project Management Ronnie Ley
Recording Engineer Ronan Phelan
Recording & Mix Engineer Niall John Acott
Produced by Steve Sidwell
Side B. Dear Bill (Live)
Piano & Md Joe Bunker
Keyboards Erika Gundesen
Arranger & Orchestrator Steve Sidwell
Keyboard Programming Dan De Cruz
Recording & Mix Engineer Mike Walker
Production Sound Operator Josh Smith
Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical credits
Book, Music & Lyrics
David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, Zoë Roberts.
Cast
David Cumming, Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, Jak Malone, Zoë Roberts, Gerri Allen, Christian Andrews, Sean Carey, Holly Sumpton
Director Robert Hastie
Choreographer Jenny Arnold
Set & Costume Designer Ben Stones
Lighting Designer Mark Henderson
Sound Designer Mike Walker
Orchestration & Vocal
Arrangement Steve Sidwell
Casting Director Pearson Casting
Musical Director & Piano Joe Bunker
.Keyboard & Deputy MD Ben Cox
Bass Guitar & Bass Synth Rachel Espeute
Drums & Percussion Lewis Jenkins
Associate Director Georgie Staight
Associate Choreographer Paul Isaiah Isles
