****
Review by Simon Rothstein
Photos by Matt Crockett
The wonderful Operation Mincemeat, now playing at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend, probably never should have made the big stage at all.
A historical musical spy comedy set during World War II, with an ensemble cast who frequently swap roles and genders, it started life in an 80-seater studio not long before the pandemic hit and its plans were interrupted.
However, post-lockdowns and carried by word of mouth, momentum soon built, with awards and glowing reviews following not far behind – leading to it becoming a huge West End and Broadway hit.
Now touring theatres around the UK, and indeed the world, it opened right here in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Future stops will include Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston and cities in China and Australia, as well as Norwich and Crawley a little closer to home.
While not the original cast, four of the five principal performers – Christian Andrews, Seán Carey, Charlotte Hanna-Williams and Holly Sumpton – reprise roles from the West End production, joined by new recruit Jamie-Rose Monk.
All are superb, mixing high comedy with thrilling spy escapes – while bringing a sweetness that makes you really care about their characters and the mission’s success.
That mission was the extraordinary true story of a 1943 British deception operation, in which a dead man was given a false identity and planted off the coast of Spain carrying fake military documents. The elaborate ruse helped convince Hitler that the Allies intended to invade Greece rather than Sicily, drawing German forces away from the real target.
The show is also a tribute to the hugely important role of our intelligence services, who often operate with no public thanks or glory until decades later.
One key reason to see the production, other than its great entertainment value, is therefore keeping this history alive for future generations!
Back to the stage and two things that stand out are the clever choreography, with genuine ‘how did they do that’ moments, and a set design that does a wonderful job of transporting you back to the era.
The five performers, swapping between multiple parts, mix song, farce and intrigue, with the tunes moving the story along and the fast pace rarely letting up.
Some of the songs went on a little too long and they aren’t the type you’re still singing the next day, while a few of the gags missed the mark.
But overall this is a show that is funny, thrilling and full of things to learn, culminating in a happy ending and a lovely tribute (I won’t say any more so as not to spoil).
Judging by the standing ovation in Southend, it is clear that Operation Mincemeat has lost none of its ability to win over an audience as it heads on tour.
Find out more and purchase tickets here.
