Operation Mincemeat, UK Tour Review (2026)
Written by Emmie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
History continues to be made by Operation Mincemeat. The Olivier and Tony Award-winning musical, which continues its acclaimed runs at London's Fortune Theatre and Broadway's Golden Theatre, is now bringing its unique blend of wit, heart, and espionage to audiences across the UK on its first-ever national tour this year.
The musical, created by the musical comedy troupe SpitLip (David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson & Zoë Roberts), is based on an unbelievably true story of how a twisted secret mission helped us win World War II. Set in 1943, we are introduced to a quirky team of MI5 agents who come together with a scheme to deceive Hitler. They plan to dress a stolen corpse as a British officer, slip fake invasion plans into his pockets, and drop him where the Nazis would find the documents.
Operation Mincemeat is a musical which runs at a relentlessly fast pace whilst managing to retain the audience’s engagement with the narrative and use of comedy to tell this story. Performed by a five-person ensemble, they seamlessly take on more than 80 different characters between them. It is no mean feat, with the cast not only juggling lightning-fast costume and prop changes but also mastering Jenny Arnold's dynamic choreography, which injects the production with boundless energy and vitality.
Katy Ellis, Jordan Pearson, Sean Carey and Charlotte Hanna-Williams are particularly impressive, with their multi-rolling being done effortlessly whilst managing to remain their distinct characterisations. They showcase versatility that makes every transition between the different characters feel fresh and distinctly different from the last.
The score in this musical is brilliantly crafted, blending 1940s-inspired swing, which gives a great nod to the era, alongside energetic EDM. There is a moment when most characters are given their time to shine, but it’s the emotional grip of “Dear Bill” which is a particular highlight in the show. Ben Stones’ set design for Operation Mincemeat is innovative - transforming it into a space that evokes a wartime bunker. However, the details in the backdrop alongside the ensemble’s graft in transforming the space into submarines or sparkling cabarets are masterful.
When it comes to British musical theatre, Operation Mincemeat is a triumph. Earning every one of its five stars, it’s a show you must see!
Operation Mincemeat is touring the UK until 28 November as part of a wider world tour. For further information, head over to their website.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
