Operation Mincemeat at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton is a rollicking good night out
The standing ovation given to the cast of Operation Mincement at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton tells you more than any review could.
For more than two hours the multi-talented cast of five gave the packed audience a rollicking good night out.
The boisterously cheerful, highly energetic and incredibly entertaining musical has won countless awards over the past few years - and it is easy to see why.
This is a spirited and fast-moving show that tells the wildly improbable and hilarious true story of the covert operation that turned the tide of the Second World War.
In Operation Mincemeat, it’s 1943 and the Allied Forces are on the ropes. Luckily, they’ve got a trick up their sleeve, well inside a briefcase attached to a stolen corpse.
Equal parts farce, thriller and Ian Fleming-style spy caper, Operation Mincemeat is quite simply a triumph.
Christian Andrews, Seán Carey, Charlotte Hanna-Williams and Holly Sumpton reprise their acclaimed roles from the West End run and are joined by new recruit Jamie-Rose Monk, who fits in seamlessly.
All are exceptional, taking on multiple roles with high-speed costume changes that add to the slightly frenetic and highly energetic atmosphere created on stage.
It is great fun from start to finish, punctuated by some wonderfully poignant moments.
For me, the undoubted highlight was the opening number of the second act. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but it was stunning and drew huge applause from the audience.
Operation Mincemeat began as a tiny production at London’s New Diorama Theatre but its success appears to know no bounds.
It has been nominated for 67 awards since opening in 2019, winning 25. The wins include being named best musical four times.
The smash hit musical takes to the Derngate stage at 7.30pm daily until Saturday, July 18. There are also matinee performances at 2.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday.
Tickets can be booked online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk/operation-mincemeat or by calling the box office on 01604 624811.
There are also audio described and BSL interpreted performances. Contact the box office for more information.