THEATRE REVIEW: ‘More than warrants the hype’, Operation Mincemeat at Swansea Grand

Five actors, 20 songs, 24 awards and a dead Welshman: reviewer Jonathan Marshall finds the Olivier-winning musical lives up to all of it at the Grand this week. It runs until Saturday.

Swansea Grand houses a covert campaign against Hitler as hit musical Operation Mincemeat sweeps in.

The show has a remarkable history. Beginning life in 2019 in London’s intimate New Diorama before relocating to two further venues, it took residence at the West End’s Fortune Theatre in 2023, where it remains. From humble beginnings, the show also plays on Broadway and has enjoyed a world-wide tour, bagging 24 awards including the Olivier for best new musical along the way.

Expectations are therefore exceedingly high but within minutes of the opening number they are instantly met. Like a well-oiled machine, everything comes together to create perfect harmony in a show that flows seamlessly.

The story is set out immediately as we learn who is who and what their objective is: ultimately to outplay Hitler and defeat the Germans. This is achieved by a rather out of the box plan involving the use of a dead body posing as a British soldier to lead the enemy down the garden path.

With only five actors portraying a host of characters, one might fear it could be a struggle to keep up. Despite the often-frenetic pacing of the production, this is not the case. The songs are never shoe-horned and instead bolster the story and drive the narrative forwards.

Characters are well-rounded and established quickly, even if they are only minor roles. It is testament to the dexterity of the ensemble that we fully buy into who they are playing and the world we are in.

While the subject matter isn’t exactly sugary sweet, David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts have written a show full of heart and humour. It caters to various styles of comedy, sashaying from the surreal to the slapstick. All tastes are catered for, and the production has a wide reach, appealing to audiences of various ages.

Jenny Arnold’s choreography facilitates the pacing and swift scene changes allow for a welcome sense of cohesion. The two hours and fifteen or so minutes soar by.

The cast share strong chemistry, bouncing off one another with effortless aplomb and all gift us with strong vocals across the 20 musical numbers.

Jamie-Rose Monk delivers as the often-exasperated colonel Johnny Bevan. The performer also mines a great deal of comedy from their turn as Ian Fleming, who worked in British Intelligence before creating James Bond.

Holly Sumpton commands the laughs as Ewen Montagu, demonstrating excellent comic timing, especially during the show’s laugh-out-loud climax.

Seán Carey embodies the awkwardness of the socially inept yet brilliant Charles while Katy Ellis offers a convincing turn as MI5 secretary Jean and showcases stellar vocals.

Completing the cast is the wonderfully versatile Christian Andrews. Again, playing a multitude of roles, it is his Hester that reduces some audience members to tears with the song Dear Bill.

Hester wrote the love letter, which was placed on the dead body to help build the fictional life around him. This emotive moment manages to work alongside the humour of the production because it comes about so organically and is performed so tenderly.

Breathing space is also afforded as the Welshman whose body was used, Glyndwr Michael, is remembered and thanked. It serves to remind us that beneath the comedy, Operation Mincemeat is a true story and one which ultimately changed the course of the Western world.

There’s nothing quite like the experience of seeing a show where all the elements come together to create something that stays with us. Operation Mincemeat is a prime example of the power of theatre and its ability to tell stories in ways no other medium can.

A fantastic show that more than warrants the hype surrounding it, Operation Mincemeat is one that will no doubt linger long after you leave the auditorium.

Operation Mincemeat is directed by Robert Hastie and runs at Swansea Grand Theatre until Saturday 26 September at 7pm. Tickets are available from the Grand Theatre website or the box office on 01792 475715.