Concord Theatricals has secured worldwide secondary licensing rights to Operation Mincemeat from Avalon, the musical's producer. Written by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts, the musical is currently running in London's West End, and is up for six categories at the 2024 Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical. A release timeline for licensing rights is to be announced.
The comedic musical tells the true story of a bizarre secret mission that helped win World War II for the Allies—and it involves a stolen, well-dressed corpse. The work made its world premiere at New Diorama Theatre in 2019, moving to London's Southwark Playhouse for runs in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Following an extended 2022 run at Riverside Studios, the show transferred to the Fortune Theatre in London's West End in March 2023. A cast album was released last year via Sony Music.
"We are delighted Concord has acquired the non-replica rights for Operation Mincemeat and look forward to aspiring theatre makers breathing life into this production around the world in due course," says producer Jon Thoday in a statement for Avalon.
"We are immensely proud to be representing the global secondary licensing rights to the West End hit Operation Mincemeat," adds Concord Europe VP of Acquisitions and Artistic Development Steven Greenhalgh. "From small beginnings, David, Felix, Natasha, and Zoë spent years crafting this very special musical and Concord Theatricals has enjoyed supporting them every step of the way. In collaboration with Avalon, we look forward to encouraging our theatre makers to embrace all the wit, heart, and sangria Operation Mincemeat has to offer. Mission accepted. Huzzah!"
The musical's West End run, directed by Robert Hastie and choreographed by Jenny Arnold, is currently booking through November 16. For more information about that production, visit OperationMincemeat.com. Licensing info is at ConcordTheatricals.com.
