In 2019, a small musical with just five people opened up in an 80-seat theatre in London, created by a group of young actors calling themselves SpitLip. That musical was Operation Mincemeat and it musicalized an obscure piece of World War II history. That initial run quickly sold out. So then the musical transferred to the West End, where it also kept selling out and extending, and won some Olivier Awards (including Best New Musical). That unlikely hit has now opened on Broadway March 20 at the Golden Theatre.
Broadway is no stranger to a musical comedy featuring Nazis (looking at you The Producers). But Operation Mincemeat isn't just a satire, it's a full-on history lesson that is also a laugh-out-loud musical comedy. Intrigued yet? Below are five reasons to see Operation Mincemeat
1. An Eye-Opening History Lesson
You're gonna learn quite a bit of history in Operation Mincemeat. Broadway loves musicals based off history (Hamilton, Suffs, SIX). But the history showcased in Operation Mincemeat is one of the more obscure stories that Americans won't know about because...it's not an American story. You might think, "It's not American history. I don't really care about it." Think again! Operation Mincemeat is a truly fascinating World War II tale about how the British deceived the Nazis by making them think they were going to launch a military campaign in Greece rather than to Italy. And they did it by using a dead body, carrying false information, to trick the Nazis. We're just gonna leave it at that, but it's not a spoiler to say: calamity ensues. If you're a lover of history, or obscure stories that are too crazy to be true (but are), then head over to Operation Mincemeat.
2. It Is Extremely Funny
World War II can be very heavy as a subject matter. But SpitLip is able to create a very funny show out of some dark, dark moments. Yes, it is a high-stakes scenario involving Nazis and corpses. But the actors don't shy away from the absurdity in the story; they find inventive ways to make you laugh out loud at the real-life ridiculousness of the circumstances. At the same time, there's plenty of reverence for that part of history and what people were fighting for. The show is a winning blend of dark humor, light absurdity, real pathos, and good, old-fashion musical comedy.
3. The On-Point Ensemble
Operation Mincemeat features some of the best ensemble work I have ever seen on stage. Five actors play 32 characters, giving the show a sketch-comedy feel...it's like a really great episode of Saturday Night Live but over 2.5 hours. The way they move onstage, so in sync, is magnetic to watch. When they are going back and forth between characters, the choreography and the way they move across the stage is so intricate, it's like a dance—they can move into the wings in one second and pop back in as another character in the next. Or one actor exits and moments later, they open a door from upstage as a completely different character.
Because there are only five actors, every person plays characters of different genders than their own. For example, Natasha Hodgson, the character that she plays for the majority of the show is Ewen Montagu, a male intelligence officer for the British military. She uses a raspy voice for Montagu but seamlessly transitions into other voices for other roles. Because they created the musical together, the actors in Operation Mincemeat are not limited by gender. And the actors don't turn gender-swapping into a punchline. They give grounded performances for every character they play, creating not just caricatures but relatable people (who are in amazing circumstances). You can tell the five cast members have been performing the show since 2019; they've created something truly memorable.
4. The Surprising Songs
If you love the irreverence of SIX: The Musical or Hamilton, you'll love Operation Mincemeat. It's not just a history lesson, it also uses a wide array of music genres to tell its story—from rap, to pop, to traditional musical theatre. It's also a musical comedy at its best, featuring some genuinely funny songs. For instance, the opening of Act Two is a boy band number—the choreography is similar to NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye." Except the characters performing that dance are Nazis, slowly raising their hands up to do the Hitler salute. And then, when the number ends, as the audience is clapping, one of the actors basically says, "Wow, applauding for Nazis. Whose team are you on?" Yes it's a comedy, but there's plenty of bite to it.
5. It's Filled With Heart
In Act One, there is a ballad called "Dear Bill," performed by Jak Malone (as Hester Leggatt, a seasoned MI5 Administrative Assistant). It is not a big number, there's no high kicking or big belting. It is an intimate, heartfelt song about loss and love that could have been—with a moving acting performance by Malone. With so much frenzy happening in the rest of the show, "Dear Bill" is a standout musical moment that inspired two minutes worth of applause at a recent performance. It is clear why Malone won an Olivier for his performance in the West End and why the show itself won an Olivier for Best New Musical. It is an example of how Operation Mincemeat isn't just a laugh-a-minute show, it's also heartfelt. It's the kind of show you will leave talking about the next day in your friend or family group chat.
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