Dead Clever: Operation Mincemeat Is A Triumph Of A Musical

What a fabulous show! An improbable subject for a musical but Operation Mincemeat is a true story about real people and actual events that shaped the outcome of the second World War. Penned by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoe Roberts on behalf of Spitlip, the music and lyrics are refreshingly both catchy and intelligent.

The year is 1943 and things aren’t going at all well but thanks to a madcap and farcical idea from Charles Cholmondeley, an M15 agent, involving a corpse, a love letter and a briefcase, and aided by a favourable and following wind our fortunes are about to change.

The opening song Born to Lead eloquently sets the scene for the action to follow. Generally, our wartime leaders of the day came from wealthy and privileged backgrounds with an ingrained sense of entitlement and a convenient but selective disregard for rules are pondering what can be done to change the progress of the war and what follows is indeed what they planned and executed.

All of the musical numbers were outstanding but of particular note was Hester’s (Christian Andrews) rendition of Dear Bill, the love letter that was to be placed in the briefcase. Hester was insistent that the letter be convincing and I have to say that it was, for me and those around me, one of the most moving and emotional few minutes of the entire performance really hitting home what our airmen and soldiers were expected to do to protect our country.

The cast of five are a very talented bunch – on stage for the entire production playing any number of differing characters with ease. They can sing and dance and all possess impeccable comic timing. Holly Sumpton as the overly confident Ewen Montague, was the anchor interacting beautifully with Sean Carey as the lacking in confidence Charles Cholmondley, Christian Andrews as Hester, a long-time secretary, Jamie-Rose Monk as Johnny Bevan, the man who gave the go ahead for this madcap idea and Charlotte Hanna-Williams as Jean Leslie, the office ‘go for’. Roles were gender swapped with ease serving to emphasize the wit and satire of the lyrics.

A respectful and touching tribute is made to the ‘real’ man, Glyndwr Michael, a homeless Welshman whose body was cast into the sea so that thousands of lives could be saved.

Robert Hastie’s direction and Jenny Arnold’s choreography is outstanding as are the set and costume designs by Ben Stones. Costume changes were slick, both on and off stage and along-side the expected office pin-striped suits included some glitz and glitter and tongue in cheek touches. Live music under the direction of Sam Sommerfeld was the cherry on top of the cake.

This is a pacy production and is an absolute masterclass in controlled chaos. I thoroughly recommend.

Sheffield Lyceum Until 25th April