Comedy sensation Operation Mincemeat comes to Northampton
One of the most acclaimed British musicals of recent years is heading to Northampton – with performers from the West End taking to the stage.
Operation Mincemeat, named Best New Musical at the 2024 Olivier Awards, is arguably the best-reviewed show in West End history, with 77 five-star reviews. It was also nominated for Best Musical in the Tony Awards this year.
The show is set in 1943 – and Britain is losing the war. Luckily, the future of the country is about to be gambled on a stolen corpse.
Billed as “Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train,” Operation Mincemeat is a fast-paced, comical and remarkable true story, telling of the twisted secret mission that helped the Allies win the Second World War. It explains how a dead body, a fake love letter, and - of all people - Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, came together to wrongfoot Hitler.
Neil Norman in the Daily Mirror hailed it is “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 Armstrong on The Mail on Sunday commented: “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.”
Reprising their acclaimed roles, West End alumnae Christian Andrews, Seán Carey, Charlotte Hanna-Williams and Holly Sumpton are joined by new recruit Jamie-Rose Monk to form the cast.
The show is written and composed by SpitLip, a quartet of young British talents. They said in a joint statement: “Having launched our show on Broadway this year, we know there's an appetite and a need out there for shows which champion joy, and the power of small groups of people to change the world.”
Since premiering at London’s 77-seat New Diorama Theatre in 2019, the show been nominated for 67 awards and won 25, including Best Musical four times at the Olivier Awards, WhatsOnStage Awards, BroadwayWorld Theater Fans’ Choice Awards and Off West End Awards.
Operation Mincemeat is recommended for ages six and above. It runs at the Royal & Derngate from July 13 to 18. Visit royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811 to book.