Operation Mincemeat at The Lowry, Manchester – Monty Python meets Six in a masterclass of multi-rolling

The best-reviewed show in West End history has just opened in Manchester, and it’s a must-see for any theatre lover.

When you think of a great topic or story for a glitzy musical, an underground secret mission of World War II doesn’t exactly spring to mind.

But Operation Mincemeat suddenly turns this very serious snippet of history into the most hilarious thing you’ve ever seen.

From starting out as a small fringe musical about a covert British war plan, Operation Mincemeat is now a huge West End and Broadway Smash having received a monumental 88 five star reviews.

So, how did the British MI5 trick Hitler with a corpse, an engagement ring, a love letter and a collection of receipts?

Well, this musical walks you through it in a style that combines Monty Python with Six the Musical, in the most brilliant way.

The cast consists of only five performers, each who play a myriad of rolls of both genders – and this is no mean feat.

Holly Sumpton leads the troops as the Eton-educated, dapperly dressed and much too self-assured Montague.

It’s a perfect performance that leads the narrative, and pokes fun at the posh male entitlement that is only heightened by her physical humour made better by the cross-casting.

Seán Carey plays the bumbling and sweet scientist Charles, a character that lacks the boarding school confidence yet gains the trust of the audience as we root for his success. Carey’s physicality and playfulness made for some of the night’s funniest moments.

Charlotte Hanna-Williams plays a headstrong Jean as she tries to break through the misogynistic ideals of war time Britain, and Jamie-Rose Monk is an absolute hoot as Bevan and a whole host of other roles – popping up in places you’d never expect somehow wearing a different hat or waistcoat.

The highlight performance for me though was Christian Andrews, who flicks between the slimy coroner Spilsbury and meticulous yet loveable MI5 matron with utter ease.

The song Dear Bill was a welcomed tender moment nearing the end of act one in the high-pace, slapstick performance that left no dry eye in the house.

But it’s not the individual performances that make Operation Mincemeat so spectacular, it’s an absolute masterclass in multi-rolling with no performer missing a beat throughout.

It’s fast, it’s risky (there’s even a couple of swastikas), at often times its heartfelt, and its downright bloody hilarious.

This is why original musicals matter, and this one certainly deserves its flowers.

Operation Mincemeat is at The Lowry until Saturday28 February before embarking on a world tour, and you can get your tickets here.

Read more: Beloved stage musical Billy Elliot to return to Manchester for 2026 Christmas season

Featured image – Supplied