Bold and Energetic – Operation Mincemeat plays Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 13th June.

The Cast

The story is based on a remarkable real-life British intelligence plan to deceive Nazi Germany by planting fake invasion documents on a corpse disguised as an officer. The aim was to suggest the Allies would invade Greece rather than Sicily, and incredibly, it worked!

Having seen the film and found it gripping, moving, and meticulously done, I was curious about how such a story could translate into a musical.

The main cast of five was outstanding, with their energy, versatility, and lightning-fast costume changes, which were hugely impressive, and the commitment from everyone on stage is undeniable. Christian Andrews is a particular highlight, especially as Hester - his performance is sensitive and moving, and “Dear Bill” is delivered with real poignancy, clearly resonating with the audience. Jamie-Rose Monk is also a joy to watch, bringing charm and flair to multiple roles.

There are bold, creative choices throughout, including cross-casting and a blend of musical and choreographic styles. Musical styles from the 1940s to rap, sea shanties, and more, alongside a wide range of choreography from the 1940s to street dance styles and genres,

While there’s real creativity here, and some standout moments, like the brilliantly staged briefcase and telephone sequence or the glitzy staircase at the end, which drifted into a slightly "The Producers" style tone, it didn’t always feel cohesive- more a mix of ideas than a clear, unified vision.

For me, the sound was inconsistent. At times, it was crystal clear, with clever, witty lyrics that really carried the story. But in the larger numbers, the music often overpowered the vocals, and with lyrics coming so quickly, often not in unison or crossing over each other, much of the narrative was lost. The pace felt very fast, occasionally too fast; it seemed like the cast was rushing to keep up, which made things harder to follow.

This mix of ideas was confusing and made me ask why? What purpose did this serve? The answer was that I really didn’t know, so why do it?

I struggled with the tone, too. While I appreciate finding lightness and humour, I felt at times it trivialised what an extraordinary true story it is.  It didn’t quite land for me - or for some around me - though it’s clear much of the audience really enjoyed it.

I’d heard wonderful things about the West End production, so perhaps this was just an off night, or maybe it hasn’t quite translated to the tour. Either way, while full of talent and creativity, it didn’t fully come together for me.

To get your tickets, go to the Milton Keynes Theatre website.