REVIEW – OPERATION MINCEMEAT | FORTUNE THEATRE, WEST END | 23/06/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- 24 hours ago
- 6 min read
Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune Theatre – The West End's Cleverest Musical
Few original British musicals have enjoyed a rise quite like Operation Mincemeat. From a scratch performance at The Lowry in 2017 to becoming an Olivier Award and Tony Award-winning West End phenomenon, its success is a testament to the strength of original British musical theatre.
Having first seen the musical when the UK tour visited The Lowry earlier this year, experiencing Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune Theatre had been high on my theatre wish list ever since. I instantly fell in love with its razor-sharp writing, brilliantly British humour and inventive storytelling, so the opportunity to see it in its long-running West End home was one I couldn't miss.
Now firmly established at the Fortune Theatre, Operation Mincemeat continues to captivate audiences night after night. Inspired by the extraordinary true story of the British intelligence operation that helped change the course of the Second World War, it transforms an unlikely chapter of wartime history into one of the funniest, smartest and most emotionally rewarding musicals currently playing in London.
Operation Mincemeat tells the remarkable true story of the secret British intelligence mission that used an elaborate deception to convince the German High Command that the Allied invasion of southern Europe would take place somewhere other than Sicily.
It may not sound like an obvious premise for a musical comedy, but that's exactly what makes the show so extraordinary. The writing embraces the absurdity of the operation with brilliantly observed British humour, razor-sharp wit and a constant stream of callbacks, visual gags and running jokes that reward audiences throughout.
Far from losing its impact on a second viewing, Operation Mincemeat became even more rewarding. Knowing where the story was heading highlighted just how meticulously the script has been constructed. Clever callbacks, recurring themes and subtle foreshadowing are woven throughout, making it a musical that genuinely rewards repeat visits.
While the comedy comes thick and fast, the production never loses sight of the people behind the mission. Just when you're caught up in another wonderfully ridiculous moment, the show gently reminds you that these extraordinary events happened to real people making impossible decisions during wartime.
It's that balance that makes Operation Mincemeat so special. Rather than allowing the humour to overshadow the history, the two work hand in hand to create a production that's every bit as moving as it is funny. The result is a musical with genuine heart that leaves just as much of an emotional impact as it does a comedic one.
One of the things I was most looking forward to was seeing how Operation Mincemeat would feel in its long-running West End home at the Fortune Theatre, and the intimate setting proves to be the perfect fit for the production. Sitting so close to the stage allows the audience to appreciate every lightning-fast costume change, every subtle facial expression and every meticulously choreographed movement. The smaller auditorium creates an immediacy that draws you into the action, making both the comedy and the emotional moments even more impactful.
Ben Stones' set design is deceptively simple yet incredibly effective. Rather than relying on elaborate scenery, the production uses a versatile performance space that transforms seamlessly into intelligence headquarters, submarines, military offices and countless other locations. Every transition feels effortless, allowing the storytelling to remain at the heart of the production.
The lighting complements the staging beautifully, creating atmosphere while guiding the audience through each location and shift in tone. Combined with Jenny Arnold's inventive choreography, the production rarely pauses for breath, maintaining its remarkable pace from beginning to end.
The costume design is equally ingenious. With just five performers portraying dozens of characters, every jacket, hat, military coat and pair of glasses becomes an essential storytelling tool. The speed of the costume changes is astonishing, yet thanks to the cast's exceptional physicality, accents and comic timing, every character feels completely distinct.
Musically, Operation Mincemeat is every bit as inventive as its storytelling, with a score that moves effortlessly between laugh-out-loud comedy, biting satire and moments of genuine emotion.
Born to Lead immediately establishes the show's irreverent sense of humour, while Making a Man perfectly showcases its ability to turn an unlikely piece of wartime history into something hilariously entertaining.
Among the evening's standout musical numbers is Das Übermensch. Dark, satirical and wonderfully outrageous, it's unlike anything else in the show. Its infectious energy, razor-sharp lyrics and fearless humour make it one of the funniest moments of the evening, demonstrating the writers' confidence in pushing the comedy into unexpected territory.
All the Ladies is another highlight, bursting with energy while celebrating the women whose contributions to the mission are so often overlooked. Funny, empowering and brilliantly staged, it's one of the production's most uplifting moments.
Then comes Dear Bill, one of the musical's most unforgettable songs. Beautifully understated and deeply moving, it provides a poignant contrast to the show's fast-paced comedy, reminding us of the very real people behind this extraordinary mission. It's a moment that perfectly encapsulates what makes Operation Mincemeat so special—beneath the laughter lies a story with genuine heart.
Every song has a clear purpose, driving the narrative forward while revealing more about the characters and the remarkable events unfolding around them. It's a score that's as intelligent, inventive and memorable as the musical itself.
With just five performers bringing dozens of characters to life, Operation Mincemeat is the very definition of an ensemble production. Every cast member moves effortlessly between accents, physicality and personalities with astonishing speed, yet each character feels completely distinct. It's easy to admire the lightning-fast costume changes, but what makes them truly remarkable is the performers' ability to transform each role through voice, movement and impeccable comic timing. Within moments, they become someone entirely new, making it remarkably easy to forget you're watching the same five actors throughout.
Madeleine Jackson-Smith leads the company with confidence as Ewen Montagu, bringing authority, charisma and plenty of humour to the role. Alongside her, Ahmed Hamad is instantly endearing as Charles Cholmondeley, perfectly capturing the character's awkward determination while creating someone the audience can't help but root for.
Charlotte Fleming brings warmth and sincerity to Jean Leslie, balancing the production's fast-paced comedy with genuine heart. Chlöe Hart is outstanding as Johnny Bevan, delivering razor-sharp comic timing while effortlessly disappearing into a host of wonderfully eccentric supporting characters throughout the evening.
Among the evening's standout performances is Colm Gleeson, whose remarkable versatility allows him to move seamlessly between broad comedy and moments of genuine emotion. His performance of Dear Bill is beautifully understated and deeply moving, providing one of the production's most memorable moments and reminding the audience of the real people behind this extraordinary story.
Perhaps the greatest achievement of the cast is that, before long, you stop thinking about the astonishing number of characters they're playing altogether. Instead, you're simply immersed in the story, accepting every transformation without question. That's a testament not only to the extraordinary talent of the performers, but also to the chemistry they share as an ensemble. Their energy, precision and commitment never falter, making Operation Mincemeat feel far bigger than a cast of five has any right to.
Operation Mincemeat is a shining example of what modern British musical theatre can achieve. Taking one of the most extraordinary true stories of the Second World War and transforming it into a production that's funny, inventive and genuinely moving is no easy task, yet the creative team have done exactly that.
Seeing Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune Theatre also felt like celebrating an incredible theatrical success story. Knowing that the production's journey began with a scratch performance at The Lowry before growing into an Olivier Award and Tony Award-winning West End phenomenon makes its achievements feel even more special.
It's a wonderful reminder that bold ideas, exceptional storytelling and homegrown musicals can still capture the imagination of audiences around the world.
Whether you're discovering Operation Mincemeat for the first time or returning to uncover even more of its brilliantly crafted humour, this is a production that rewards every visit. Packed with unforgettable performances, a wonderfully inventive score and some of the sharpest writing currently in the West End, it's easy to understand why audiences continue to embrace this outstanding musical.
"A brilliantly original musical that's every bit as clever as the mission itself."
If you’d like more information about the show or to book tickets, simply click the button below to visit the official website.
Photo Credit - Official photos Marc Brenner
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