Charming, bold and British, the UK tour of Operation Mincemeat has set its course, playing at the Lowry Theatre in Salford until 28 February.
In a homecoming of sorts, with the show having been first performed at the Lowry as a work in progress to a small group of people, Operation Mincemeat delivered a fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable telling of the secret mission that won the Allied powers World War Two – told in a bombastic, larger-than-life way that was a pure joy to witness.
This cast are nothing short of extraordinary, with their dedication and commitment to making every single character they portray so unique and different from one another, deserving to be celebrated.
Holly Sumpton and Sean Carey, who play Ewan Montagu & Others and Charles Cholmondely & Others, have a wonderful friendship on stage that is just so beautiful to witness firsthand.
There is a moment at the beginning of the ninth song at the end of Act One, ‘Just For Tonight’, where Montagu and Cholmondely are discussing how the world is a mess. In the context of the show, it is discussing World War Two, but the delivery of it by both Sumpton and Carey made it feel deeply resonant with the situation of the world right now.
Christian Andrews, as Hester Leggat & Others, delivers a showstopping performance during the number ‘Dear Bill’ where the comedy of the piece, as a whole, is on the back foot for a bit as the emotional power ballad takes over.
Andrews delivers a heartfelt, emotional and resonant performance which makes if this Bill character is a real person, not just a man-made entity by MI5.
Jamie-Rose Monk and Charlotte Hanna-Williams round out this cast as Johnny Bevan & Others and Jean Leslie & Others, respectively, both superb in their own individual performances.
Monk plays Johnny Bevan with the right level of command and control over the stage and fellow actors that this role requires, shifting the power dynamic every single time she steps foot onto the stage.
Hanna-Williams performs Jean Leslie with such heart, emotion and playfulness – with standout moments including ‘All The Ladies’, which is so camp and silly in its performance, and ‘Useful, which is a really tender, soft and heartfelt moment between Hester and Jean.
As mentioned earlier, there are so many wonderful elements of comedy in these performances, helped through this production’s extensive and brilliant use of multi-rolling.
There is a number in Act One – called ‘Making A Man’ – which is just this pure spectacle of a number where, in about 10 minutes, these 5 performers have multi-rolled an endless amount of characters.
A particular favourite has got to be Christian Andrew’s character switch into Spilsbury which is just another example of the talent that this cast holds in having the ability to constantly change into all of these characters – but done in a way where nothing ever jars or feels out of place – a testament to the writing team at SpitLip and to the ensemble work and comradery that exists between these performers.
‘A Glitzy Finale’ is just a hilarious and perfect ending to this show, with Ewan Montague’s section being a firm highlight.
But then, having this slight rendition of ‘Sail on Boys’ to end both the first and second Act puts it into perspective that the lasting memory of this show is to shine a light on the real Bill Martin – or rather Glyndwr Michael – and his life, articulated so beautifully by having the final moment of this show focussing on this unsung hero and not the group that created the plan.
‘Operation Mincemeat’ is the perfect example of just this little show that could and has gone on to have worldwide success on both sides of the Atlantic.
If you want something that’s going to make you laugh your heart out but then also, unexpectedly, will cause you to shed a tear, this beautiful British musical is the perfect reminder of the magic theatre can create.
Operation Mincemeat is currently playing at the Lowry in Salford, until 28th February, before embarking on a World Tour, more information can be found here.
★★★★★
