Theatre Review: Operation Mincemeat at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham
AD: This Press Night Review refers to the 2026 Touring Production of Operation Mincemeat, at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham*
MI5 meets musical theatre in Operation Mincemeat as this ridiculous but true story graces the stage at the Alexandra Theatre this week. This Olivier and Tony Award-winner is one of the best-reviewed stage shows in West-End history, and I can happily heap another five-star review onto those already garnered. In fact, I’d probably give it 6 stars if I could.
This musical interpretation – and also a number of film adaptations, including a 2021 version starring Colin Firth – came from a 1953 book written by Ewan Montagu, one of the British intelligence officers involved in the daring ruse.
“WE NEED A CORPSE!”
Set in 1943, Operation Mincemeat tells the extraordinary true story of a ridiculous covert mission to deceive the Nazis and allow the Allies to liberate Sicily. Fake documents are planted on a stolen corpse disguised as a high ranking official and deliberately placed on a Spanish beach. These fabricated documents imply that the Allies plan to attack Sardinia, which leads to reallocation of Nazi forces and a successful invasion of Sicily which helped change the course of World War II.
Sounds intense? In reality this is a hilarious musical comedy with a wildly catchy score. Operation Mincemeat showcases the very best of British satire and humour. The bizarre mission lends itself perfectly to natural hilarity and farcical situations, yet it’s also intelligent, and surprisingly poignant. It’s witty, it’s fast-paced and unexpectedly tense at times. There’s even a beautiful pause at the end of the show to remember Glyndwr Michael, the unknown Welshman whose body was planted in Spain and carried the false documents.
“It’s whole-arsed. If anything it is over-arsed”
The cast may be made up of just 5 performers, but good things definitely come in small packages. There are a dizzying array of non-gender-specific roles portrayed by these actors, yet every transition between persona is seamless and precise. This cast works HARD yet their energy never wanes.
Our press night cast consisted of Jordan Pearson, Sean Carey, Holly Sumpton, Jamie-Rose Monk and Charlotte Hanna-Williams. And between them they create a masterclass in comedy theatre.
Holly Sumpton is a tour de force as MI5 maverick Ewen Montagu, dignified and self-righteous yet still completely likeable. Jordan Pearson provides some of the show’s most moving moments as no-nonsense matriarch Hester Leggatt, although my highlight was his untimely entrance with a birthday cake in a Spanish morgue.
“Does a newt fear death??”
Sean Carey bounces off his fellow performers as the brilliant but socially awkward sidekick Charles Cholmondeley. My favourite moment of his is the blink-and-you-miss-it transition between Charles and the American actor portraying him in one of the final scenes. A quick addition of glasses and a change of gait and the persona completely changed.
Charlotte Hanna-Williams is full of warmth as plucky Jean Leslie; a particular highlight is her performance of “Useful” alongside Pearson. Jamie-Rose Monk pulls off several hilarious characters with aplomb, including Colonel Johnny Bevan, wannabe author Ian Fleming and a particularly sweaty man-on-the-inside-in-Spain Haselden (“Sangria? A bit of red wine, a it of fizzy pop, dash of fruit”)
“…Goose step to the left, jump to the far right”
The score is an eclectic mix of genres, which somehow fit perfectly together. Touches of sea shanty. Touches of Beyonce. A parody of a romantic ballad, followed by the showstopping “Dear Bill”, Hester’s sung letter of love and loss. In contrast, the second act kicks off with a Nazi dance break, complete with Hitler salutes and techno, and closes with a full sequin and top hat number complete with kick line.
The dialogue is sharp and quick-witted, and there are cheeky asides to the delighted audience. Ben Stone’s set is simple with a single static set with a grid background and banks of telephones. It’s the moveable props that establish the scene, including a blackboard which is often used as a screen for seamless character switches.
“At least it’s not a bloody musical!”
Sometimes the most bonkers plans are the most successful, and this production reflects that. After the final number, the audience rose as one to give a well-earned standing ovation. “The Glitzy Finale” has more than delivered, and we all leave the theatre echoing Monty and the team – “God, that’s brilliant”. I’m off to practice my jumping 😉
Time is of the essence, chaps! Operation Mincemeat is at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until Saturday 16th May 2026 – purchase your tickets here! The tour continues across the UK in 2026, you can find all tour dates here.
Production images by Matt Crockett
*Why is this post marked AD? I was invited to attend Press Night in exchange for an honest review. You can trust that I will always be honest and truthful on A Brummie Home and Abroad, and being an invited guest will not influence my opinion in any way.
