Royal and Derngate Theatre Northampton – until 18 July 2026
Reviewed by Amanda Allen
5*****
In Operation Mincemeat we have an unbelievable story delivered unbelievably well! The fact that it is based on real events makes it even more unbelievable.
This show, Avalon in association with Spitlip, directed by Robert Hastie, grabs your attention with the very first song, Born to Lead, with only 5 cast members, who all appeared to be on stage most of the time, the pace was fast and the complex dialogue delivered at such speed sometimes you missed a few words but it didn’t matter as the characterisation of every actor was undeniably brilliant and that carried you through the complexities of the story. The way that the characters were presented to us through subtle and not so subtle nuances was just spectacular.
In this performance Charles Cholmondeley was played by Morgan Phillips, his depiction of a rather shy, awkward, but undeniably clever man was fabulous. The small details of how he held his briefcase, how he stood, walked and looked around the stage told its own story of the character. Jamie-Rose Monk playing Johnny over acted the part so brilliantly well that you were totally carried along with the frustrations, impatience and importance of the role. My particular favourite was Hester Leggatt, played by Christian Andrews. The role of a quiet but vital woman played so sympathetically by a man was just brilliant. Not at all patronising, totally believable, just calm control of the character with tenderness and strength all in one package, when the song “Dear Bill” was performed the emotion in the audience was palpable, when he mistakenly used the name “Tom” in the song there were more than a few tears. When he switched to playing the American airman, a total character switch, it was done so seamlessly you almost believed it was a different actor! The way Hester quietly supported everyone and steered the operation in the right direction was so believable this performance alone deserved 5 stars.
It’s hard to believe that Charlotte Hanna-Williams was in her first major performance. In playing Jean, the ambitious office girl, she made the part her own. Every line delivered with clarity and purpose, her stage presence was terrific, we are seeing the start of what I am sure will be an amazing career in musical theatre. Katy Ellis playing Ewan also delivered a brilliant performance, again totally believable. I loved the way this production bent the gender stereo types with male and female parts switched almost without notice, the characterisation of each part being the most important thing and with each character changing to different one with just a change of costume or a small prop like a hat, the audience were carried along with changes at what seemed to be an ever increasing pace. The costume and lighting design also played a significant part in telling the story with minimal staging operating within the story telling by the actors on stage, the atmosphere and imagined locations changing seamlessly and quickly.
This show delivered humour, pathos, sympathy, empathy and entertainment in a none stop performance with 5 stars each one of them delivering a 5 star performance. The ending where they acknowledged the part played by the “body” Glyndwr Michael, was particularly poignant and I am so glad he has now been recognised for his part in real life. If you get chance to see it whilst it’s touring, please do, you are promised a brilliant night of entertainment and education. Thank you for bringing this story to our attention