A Laugh-Out-Loud Musical Adventure Across the Globe: 'Operation Mincemeat'
"Operation Mincemeat's Next Stage: Global Unveiling"
The smashing success of the Broadway and West End hit musical, 'Operation Mincemeat', is about to embark on an epic journey. Prepare for a world tour filled with the musical's zany humor and heartfelt story, as it charmingly makes its way through the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, Mexico, and New Zealand.
Initially premiering at the 77-seat New Diorama Theatre in London in 2019, this production takes you on a wild ride of disbelief in the midst of WWII. The story unfolds in 1943 when Nazi-occupied mainland Europe was a threat that needed to be neutralized. The Allied forces set their eyes on invading Sicily, but their plans needed to be kept under wraps to avoid massive resistance.
And so, a bizarre strategy was born. British naval intelligence devised a stranger-than-fiction plan, giving a dead corpse a makeover and a fictional identity as Major William Martin. A briefcase full of fake mission papers was handcuffed to the corpse, outlining a doomed mission to invade Sardinia instead of Sicily. The rotting body was cast off the coast of Spain, allowing the briefcase and its vital details to wash up on the shores of the Nazis.
Remarkably, the scheme worked! Hitler moved thousands of troops from Sicily to Sardinia, leaving the Allied forces with a much more manageable target. When Natasha Hodgson, Zoё Roberts, David Cumming, and Felix Hagan heard this spine-tingling narrative's pesky details, they knew it had the ingredients for an unforgettable musical comedy with loads of charm.
"We loved getting together and laughing, so we decided to tackle the massive task of creating a two-act musical based on a true story. We wanted to dedicate ourselves entirely to a tale we felt passionately about," explains Hodgson.
Hodgson, Roberts, and Cumming forged their friendship as students at Warwick University, where they produced and performed horror comedy shows throughout the United Kingdom, including at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Meanwhile, Hagan and Hodgson encountered each other while in a band together. In their quest for ideas, Hodgson's brother suggested that she listen to a 'Stuff You Should Know' podcast about Operation Mincemeat. And the rest was history!
"When I listened to the podcast, I couldn't believe the insane, true spy story that changed the course of World War II. After sharing it with my fellow creative minds, there was never a doubt in our minds that we needed to share this story," says Hodgson.
The story began with just two songs and a scene, earning the support of the New Diorama Theatre, which offered them a five-week run. Shortly after, in 2019, with a small cast consisting of Hodgson, Roberts, and Cumming, and a shoestring budget, the production was a triumph. This success paved the way for multiple theater transfers and an enthusiastic fan base, lovingly called "Mincefluencers."
In 2023, 'Operation Mincemeat' opened at the prestigious West End's Fortune Theatre, earning fifteen extensions and ultimately winning an Olivier Award for Best Musical. Claire-Marie Hall and Jak Malone joined the cast, with Malone winning an Olivier Award for his performance and earning a Tony nomination this year.
The musical's humble beginnings and rapid ascent are reminiscent of their roots. "There was a part of us deep down that might have fantasized about one day stepping onto the West End. But experiencing the world stage with this production has far surpassed our wildest dreams," says Cumming.
Even when times were tough, their unwavering determination propelled them to success. As Cumming explains, "What's amazing about theater, particularly fringe theater, is there wasn't a multitude of gatekeepers hindering us from putting on our initial production, which was a no-budget affair. We were in this together, added a couple talented individuals to our team, and acquired a box of sweaty hats. The beauty of theater is that you have the freedom to bring your production to the audience."
In February 2024, 'Operation Mincemeat' debuted on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre, where the original five-member West End cast performed the roles of numerous characters. Over 300 "Mincefluencers" flew to New York for the premiere, and the musical has been nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The world tour will commence at the Lowry Theater in Manchester, England, on February 16, 2026, with tickets available from June 5. A fitting tribute to its origins, the musical was nurtured in the early stages at the Lowry Theater as part of their Rewrites showcase for new musicals in 2017. They presented a few songs and a scene from the show, including "God That's Brilliant," which remains a permanent fixture in the production.
"The Lowry Theater in Manchester was the very first theater we ever performed in as a team, and they believed in our potential to create work that could truly shine. We've been eager to repay their faith since then. So, we are elated to launch our world tour where our careers started, and it has a special significance for our families as well," says Cumming.
In memory of Glyndwr Michael, the real man whose remains made Operation Mincemeat a success, the creators feel a sense of custodianship for his legacy. They aspire to ensure that his memory endures and looms through time.
"We honor his name during every performance in front of audiences on both continents," notes Roberts. "It's a privilege to share his story with the world."
- Jak Malone, a talented actor, won an Olivier Award for his performance in 'Operation Mincemeat', and was also nominated for a Tony Award this year, adding to the musical's entertainment repertoire.
- The musical 'Operation Mincemeat', heralded for its zany humor and heartfelt story, is about to embark on a global tour, extending its reach to the realms of music, bringing laughter and charm to stages across Broadway, West End, and various international theaters such as the Lowry Theater, Manchester.
