IF you have seen the film Operation Mincemeat, you will know it is an improbable, utterly British story that – amazingly – is true … an account of the ridiculously daring stunt that helped to turn the course of the Second World War. Turned into a hit musical, Operation Mincemeat – The Musical, is on stage at Bath Theatre Royal from until 14th March.

The show’s first world tour follows extended runs in the West End and on Broadway extended after winning Tony and Olivier awards. It was written and composed by SpitLip – David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts.

The story is set in 1943 – Allied forces are on the ropes, but thanks to the brilliant, left-field thinking of a small group of officers and women, the operation, with fake information hidden in the pocket of a stolen “drowned” corpse, succeeded in confusing the Nazis about the Allies’ strategy.

Operation Mincemeat – the Musical began life as a tiny (and tiny-budgeted) production at the London Fringe New Diorama Theatre in 2019. It quickly gained a devoted following, spurring sold-out runs at venues including Southwark Playhouse and Riverside Studios. and makes its West End premiere on 9th May 2023 at the Fortune Theatre.

Reprising their West End roles on the tour are Christian Andrews, Seán Carey, Charlotte Hanna-Williams and Holly Sumpton. They are joined by Jamie-Rose Monk (all pictured). Other cast members are Katy Ellis, Georgina Hagen, Jordan Pearson and Morgan Phillips. The production is directed by Robert Hastie.

Operation Mincemeat the Musical is described as “one of the best reviewed shows in West End history,” but we regret that the company doesn’t feel it needs regional reviews, so we cannot provide one for our readers.