Operation Mincemeat Musical London

Opened at the Fortune Theatre in May 2023, Operation Mincemeat is a hilarious history lesson featuring an ingenious script paired to an infectious score you'll want to listen to again and again, and a talented cast switching roles at a dizzying pace.

Travel back in time and immerse yourself in wartime Britain at a crucial moment as MI5 prepares to launch its last chance at victory. Their plan is one that some would call completely mad and others utterly brilliant: a specially crafted operation designed to win the war.

Be sure to book your tickets in advance to see the joyous Operation Mincemeat as seats sell out fast. The show has developed a devoted fan base, with some enthusiastic followers even calling themselves "Mincefluencers".

What is Operation Mincemeat about?

It's 1943 and the Allies are on the brink of losing the war. Inside MI5 headquarters, agents scramble to find the one idea that could save them all, eventually landing on their biggest gamble yet: Operation Mincemeat.

The Operation Mincemeat musical is a laugh-out-loud musical that blends a fast-paced wartime spy thriller with a wildly entertaining and absurd true story. Follow MI5 agents as they attempt to deceive German forces with a daring plan involving a corpse disguised as a Royal Marine, carrying fake invasion documents intended to fall into Nazi hands.

The varied score combines an array of musical styles, from brass and jazz to pop and sea shanties, while ingenious lyrics help create a sensational, daring and unforgettable piece of theatre. It's a wild tale unlike anything else currently playing in the West End.

We'd recommend familiarising yourself with the real-life story beforehand to fully appreciate the musical's humorous take on these extraordinary events. Packed with puns, clever lyrics and sharp wit, Operation Mincemeat perfectly combines British humour with an irresistibly singalong soundtrack.

What makes Operation Mincemeat a must-see musical

Inspired by an extraordinary true story, Operation Mincemeat takes audiences on a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud adventure into one of the most bizarre secret missions of the Second World War. 

This trailblazing show swept up six nominations at the 2024 Olivier Awards, winning both Best New Musical and Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical. It has also enjoyed remarkable success on Broadway, cementing its reputation as one of the most exciting new musicals of recent years.

Combined with sharp performances, clever staging and brilliantly witty lyrics packed with puns and pop culture references, the result is a musical that appeals to audiences of all ages. With its fringe-theatre roots and irreverent sense of humour, Operation Mincemeat has often been compared to a cross between SIX, Come From Away and Hamilton, while maintaining a unique identity all of its own.

Who is in the cast?

Operation Mincemeat is an original creation by musical comedy troupe SpitLip, with book, music and lyrics by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts.

The infectious cast of Operation Mincemeat consists of just five actors with no ensemble. Throughout the show, they take on multiple roles, switching personalities, accents and even genders from one scene to the next. This constant transformation makes the performance all the more impressive, delivering fast-paced and deeply moving musical.

Cast:

• Hester Leggatt – Colm Gleeson
  The austere yet romantic head of the secretarial unit. Previously seen in The Comedy About Spies (Noël Coward Theatre) and The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre).
• Jean Leslie – Charlotte Fleming
  An ambitious young woman eager to prove herself. Previously seen as Lydia Hillard in Mrs Doubtfire (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Joyce Chilvers in Betty Blue Eyes (Grange Park Opera).
• Ewen Montagu (“Monty”) – Madeleine Jackson-Smith
  The confident and determined intelligence officer. Previously played Jean Leslie in the West End production of Operation Mincemeat.
• Charles Cholmondeley – Ahmed Hamad
  The intelligent but nervous officer behind the plan. Previously seen in A Christmas Carol (The Old Vic) and Sunset Blvd (Savoy Theatre).
• Johnny Bevan – Chlöe Hart
  MI5’s charismatic operations chief. Previously seen in Evita (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre).

How to book Operation Mincemeat tickets

Book your tickets for the London musical Operation Mincemeat with Visit London, using the booking button on this page. You will be able to choose your seats using the seating plan and select the best time and date for you to attend the musical.

The show is currently showing until 20 February 2027.

Fortune Theatre – venue information

The Fortune Theatre, one of the smallest stages in Covent Garden, is located on Russell Street and is currently home to Operation Mincemeat. It was previously home to The Woman in Black.

How to get there:

• Tube – The nearest tube station is Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) and Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines).
• Bus – You can catch the following buses which stop nearby at Aldwych / Drury Lane (Stop R): 15, 26, 91, N15, N21and N26.
• Cycling – rent a Santander Cycles bike and head to Tavistock Street in Covent Garden where you will find the nearest docking station.

When is Operation Mincemeat showing in London?

Evening performances take place from Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinee performances on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 3pm.

What other shows can I see in London?

There are plenty of laugh-out-loud musical comedies in the West End, including SIX at the Vaudeville Theatre, where the six wives of Henry VIII are transformed into pop divas in a witty and empowering retelling of history. Or see The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre, a wildly funny musical about two Mormon missionaries whose trip to Uganda quickly spirals into chaos.