Operation Mincemeat – Theatre Royal, Brighton
Monday 25 May to Saturday 30 May 2026.
Brighton & Hove News previews Operation Mincemeat, a new musical show coming to Theatre Royal, Brighton next month.
The Olivier Award-winning musical arrives at Theatre Royal Brighton this May for a limited one-week run, bringing one of the most unlikely, and inventive, wartime stories to the stage.
Set in 1943, the show takes as its starting point a moment when Britain was struggling in the Second World War. The solution – A bizarre and high-risk deception plan involving a stolen corpse, planted documents, and an audacious attempt to mislead Nazi Germany about Allied invasion plans.
It sounds improbable because it is, Yet, Operation Mincemeat was a real British intelligence operation designed to disguise the 1943 invasion of Sicily. Intelligence officers used the body of Glyndwr Michael, a homeless man, and constructed an elaborate fictional identity to carry false military documents – a plan that ultimately helped shift the course of the war.
What sets this production apart is its tone. Rather than a straight historical retelling of events, This is a musical which blends sharp comedy, fast-paced storytelling and an eclectic score that ranges from swing to hip-hop. Think wartime drama colliding with sketch comedy – irreverent but carefully constructed.
Created by the writing collective SpitLip – David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts – the show began as a small-scale project before building a strong following in London. Its success has since translated into major awards, including the 2024 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and a Broadway run.
Part of its appeal lies in how it plays with British identity and wartime storytelling. The creators, drawing on backgrounds in sketch comedy, lean into both affection and scepticism about the familiar ‘we won the war’ narrative, finding humour in its absurdities while still respecting the stakes.
The Brighton run is part of a UK tour, and features a rotating ensemble cast with performers taking on multiple roles in a deliberately stripped-back, fast-moving production style. Fans – some of whom have reportedly seen the show hundreds of times – have even coined a name for themselves: ‘Mincefluencers’.
The production is known for its ensemble approach, with performers taking on multiple roles throughout. The current cast includes Christian Andrews, Hester Leggatt, Seán Carey, Katy Ellis, Georgina Hagen, Charlotte Hanna-Williams, Jamie-Rose Monk, Holly Sumpton, Morgan Phillips and Jordan Pearson.
Directed by Robert Hastie, with choreography by Jenny Arnold, set and costume design by Ben Stones, lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Mike Walker, the production runs for 2 hours 20 minutes including interval.
Details
Operation Mincemeat is at Theatre Royal Brighton from Monday 25 May to Saturday 30 May 2026.
Dates: Monday 25th – Saturday 30 May 2026. The production runs for 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval), with evening performances Monday to Saturday and matinees on Thursday and Saturday.
Venue: Theatre Royal, Brighton, New Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1SD.
Tickets: From £28.95 upwards available online or via the Theatre Royal, Brighton box office.
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