Operation Mincemeat announces eighth West End extension

Operation Mincemeat has extended its limited run in the West End for an eighth time.

The five-star show, described by WhatsOnStage as a “compelling blend of sophisticated musicality and lo-fi raucous charm”, follows 33 successful years of The Woman In Black at the Fortune Theatre.

Written and composed by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts of SpitLip, the musical comedy is based on a true story of the twisted secret mission that helped win World War II. It has previously been staged in developmental runs at the New Diorama Theatre in 2019 and Southwark Playhouse in 2020, 2021 and 2022, with an extended Riverside Studios season in the summer of 2022.

The West End cast includes Cumming, Claire-Marie Hall, Hodgson, Jak Malone, Roberts, Seán Carey, Geri Allen, Christian Andrews, and Holly Sumpton.

The SpitLip team said today: “Three hundred and eleven days ago, we began previewing our little show in the West End. We were stunned when we announced our first extension.

“Today, it’s truly beyond our wildest dreams, to be announcing the eighth extension. We remain delighted, and quite frankly staggered.”

It will now be booking through to 16 November 2024, with new tickets going on general sale from Friday, 16 February at 10am.

Operation Mincemeat received four nominations for the 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical – with the production’s company set to perform at the special night this coming Sunday at The London Palladium. Last remaining tickets for the awards concert are on sale now.

The production is helmed by director Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge), who provided directorial support for the Riverside Studios run, and choreographed by Jenny Arnold (Jerry Springer: The Opera).

The creative team also includes Ben Stones (Sylvia) as set and costume designer, Mark Henderson (Girl from the North Country) as lighting designer, Mike Walker (Jerry Springer: The Opera) as sound designer, Steve Sidwell (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) as orchestrator and vocal arranger, and Georgie Staight as associate director.

Commissioned by New Diorama Theatre, co-commissioned by The Lowry, and also supported by the Rhine, the musical is presented in the West End by Avalon (in association with SpitLip), who have supported the show since the Southwark Playhouse runs.