Overview

Synopsis

Operation Mincemeat is a new British musical comedy based on the real-life World War Two deception operation of the same name. In 1943, a small team of MI5 agents build up a plan to plant “Bill”, a fictitious soldier’s body where the Germans will find it, hoping to generate false information to the enemy. Written by the comedy troupe SpitLip, Operation Mincemeat tells an important story in a new, hilarious way, showcasing the United Kingdom’s best talent. With a 2024 Olivier for Best New Musical, this small but mighty five-person cast are sure to entertain and leave you feeling joyful and very silly indeed.

Show Information

Book
David Cumming , Felix Hagan , Zoë Roberts , Natasha Hodgson
Music
Natasha Hodgson , David Cumming , Felix Hagan , Zoë Roberts
Lyrics
Zoë Roberts , Natasha Hodgson , Felix Hagan , David Cumming
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Operation Mincemeat, a WWII British deception operation
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2019
Genres
Comedy, Parody
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
England, 1943
Cast Size
small
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
Some Dance
Ideal For
Small Cast, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult Characters

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Charles Cholmondeley and others

Lead

Male

Tenor

Ewen Montagu and others

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Jean Leslie and others

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Hester Leggatt and others

Lead

Male

Tenor

Johnny Bevan and others

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Songs

Act One

  • Born to Lead – Montagu & Company
  • God That’s Brilliant – Company
  • Dead in the Water – Cholmondeley
  • Dead in the Water (Reprise) – Cholmondeley
  • All the Ladies – Jean & Company
  • The Pitch – Montagu, Cholmondeley, & Jean
  • Born to Lead (Reprise) – Montagu, Cholmondeley, & Jean
  • Making a Man – Company
  • Love is a Bird – Cholmondeley & Jean
  • Dear Bill – Hester
  • Sail on, Boys – Company
  • Just for Tonight – Montagu & Company

Act Two

  • Das Übermensch – Company
  • Bevan’s Update – Bevan, Cholmondeley, & Montagu
  • The Ballad of Willie Watkins – Willie & Company
  • Spilsbury Reprise – Spilsbury & Company
  • I Call Abort – Bevan
  • Haselden’s Got a Good Feeling – Hasleden & Cholmondeley
  • Useful – Hester & Jean
  • Act as If – Company
  • Finale – Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Ensemble

    A group of performers who function as a unit in a production rather than as individuals with leading roles.

    Parody

    A humorous imitation of a work or genre, often exaggerating its style or content for comic effect. Parody is used in satire and theatrical commentary.

    World War Two

    A global conflict often explored in theatre through themes of resistance, loss, trauma, and moral complexity.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Mychele Lebrun

Mychele Lebrun

Canadian music theatre artist currently based in London, England.