REVIEW - OPERATION MINCEMEAT | THE LOWRY | 24/02/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Operation Mincemeat at The Lowry — A Hilarious, Heartfelt Musical Masterpiece
The Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical Operation Mincemeat arrives at The Lowry as the opening stop of its first ever UK tour — and there’s something wonderfully full-circle about that. The production first began life as a short scratch performance at The Lowry before going on to achieve remarkable success in the West End and on Broadway. Its arrival in Salford on the venue’s largest stage now feels like a genuine theatrical homecoming.
I’ll admit, I’m not a big history buff, and until recently I didn’t know much about the real Operation Mincemeat. After visiting the spy exhibition at Imperial War Museum North, I had picked up a little background knowledge, but I hadn’t seen the film adaptation — which actually made the theatre experience even more exciting. I was genuinely intrigued to see how such an unusual and frankly unbelievable true story could be transformed into a musical.
With an extraordinary number of five-star reviews already attached to the show, expectations were undeniably high — but I’m delighted to say the production absolutely lives up to the hype.
Set in 1943, with Britain under immense pressure during World War II, Operation Mincemeat tells the astonishing true story of a covert intelligence mission designed to mislead Nazi forces and change the course of the war. The plan itself — involving a disguised corpse carrying falsified invasion documents — is so extraordinary it almost sounds fictional, yet it was a real operation that ultimately proved successful.
The musical presents this complex historical event in a way that feels accessible, fast-paced and hugely entertaining. Rather than focusing purely on realism, the show embraces theatrical storytelling, blending sharp comedy, absurd humour and heartfelt emotional moments into a narrative that never loses momentum.
One of the strengths of the writing is how clearly it guides the audience through what could otherwise be a complicated plot. Even without prior knowledge, it’s easy to follow the characters, their motivations and the stakes involved. At the same time, the musical explores deeper emotional themes — including loss, identity and the personal cost of war — adding genuine weight to the story.
The tonal balance is particularly impressive. Moments of laugh-out-loud comedy sit comfortably alongside quieter, more reflective scenes, creating a layered theatrical experience that feels both joyful and meaningful.
Ultimately, Operation Mincemeat succeeds because it tells a remarkable true story in a completely original way — proving that history can be just as entertaining, surprising and emotionally resonant as fiction when placed in the hands of talented storytellers.
The production really shows just how powerful theatrical imagination can be. While the staging has a clean and relatively minimal foundation, it is transformed through clever design choices, lighting effects and rapid costume changes that create multiple locations and characters with remarkable efficiency.
Transitions are fluid and often deliberately visible, becoming part of the theatrical language rather than something hidden. This not only adds humour but also highlights the ingenuity behind the production.
Musically, the score is energetic, witty and stylistically varied, moving between comedic showstoppers, contemporary influences and emotionally driven ballads. Numbers such as the ambitious Making a Man showcase the complexity of the staging and ensemble coordination, while more intimate songs provide powerful emotional contrast.
The choreography is slick, sharp and perfectly matched to the show’s relentless pace, contributing to a sense of controlled chaos that never feels messy — only impressive.
With just five performers responsible for bringing this huge wartime story to life — playing multiple characters across genders, nationalities and personalities — the cast of Operation Mincemeat deliver an extraordinary display of skill, precision and stamina. What’s most impressive isn’t simply the speed of the transformations, but how clearly each character feels defined despite the rapid changes.
Holly Sumpton leads the narrative as Ewen Montagu, presenting the confident intelligence officer with a perfect balance of authority and satire. Sumpton leans into Montagu’s upper-class confidence and occasional arrogance in a way that feels knowingly humorous rather than unlikeable, creating a character audiences can both laugh at and engage with. Her strong stage presence provides a clear anchor for the story as the mission unfolds.
Seán Carey as Charles Cholmondeley brings warmth and vulnerability to the production. As the socially awkward yet brilliant originator of the plan, Carey makes Charles instantly endearing, capturing both his intelligence and his lack of confidence with great charm. His physical comedy is particularly effective, generating some of the evening’s biggest laughs while still allowing the audience to connect emotionally with the character.
Charlotte Hanna-Williams delivers a thoughtful and engaging performance as Jean Leslie, portraying her as a determined woman navigating the limitations placed on her during wartime Britain. Hanna-Williams brings both sincerity and strength to the role, ensuring Jean feels like more than just a supporting figure in the operation. Her performance adds emotional perspective to the narrative and highlights the human stories behind the mission.
Jamie-Rose Monk is wonderfully dynamic as Johnny Bevan, alongside numerous other roles, bringing a sense of controlled chaos and urgency to the stage. Monk’s ability to shift between characters with clarity and precision is hugely impressive, and their energetic performance helps drive the pace of the production forward. Whether delivering authority or comedy, Monk maintains a strong presence throughout.
Christian Andrews provides the emotional heart of the show as Hester Leggatt, while also transforming seamlessly into other contrasting characters. Andrews’ performance of Dear Bill is a standout moment — tender, sincere and deeply moving — offering a powerful contrast to the show’s fast-paced comedy. The emotional honesty of this scene creates one of the most memorable moments of the evening.
What truly elevates this cast is their collective chemistry. Costume changes happen in seconds, characters appear and disappear almost instantly, and yet the storytelling remains completely clear. It’s a remarkable example of ensemble performance that leaves you wondering how five performers can create the impression of an entire company.
Operation Mincemeat at The Lowry is a triumph — a wildly inventive musical that proves theatre can be both hilarious and deeply moving while telling an extraordinary true story.
From the emotional impact of Dear Bill to the brilliantly choreographed chaos of Making a Man, the production delivers unforgettable moments that showcase both the strength of the writing and the phenomenal talent of the cast. The balance of comedy and heartfelt storytelling is handled with remarkable skill, ensuring the show never loses its emotional core even at its most outrageous.
What makes this musical so special is its originality. It takes a piece of history that might seem unlikely for the stage and transforms it into something joyful, surprising and genuinely meaningful. Combined with outstanding performances, clever staging and infectious music, the result is an unforgettable theatre experience.
Bold, hilarious, heartfelt and brilliantly performed — Operation Mincemeat truly deserves every one of its five stars.
Proof that the most unbelievable true stories can make the most unforgettable musicals.
Operation Mincemeat will be at The Lowry until Saturday, 28th February 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.
For more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the official website.
Photo Credit - Matt Crockett
*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.
Comments