West End vs Broadway: Operation Mincemeat – two Ewen Montagus are born to lead

Welcome to our latest instalment of West End vs Broadway!

This time, we’ve dedicated an episode to a British show that continues to conquer on both sides of the Atlantic, having been crowned the 2024 Best New Musical at both the WhatsOnStage and Olivier Awards in London and receiving four Tony nominations (winning one) in New York. West End vs Broadway: Operation Mincemeat, anyone? (God, That’s Brilliant!)

We paired up co-creator and original cast member Natasha Hodgson (now performing at the Golden Theatre in NYC) with current West End company member Alex Young, who both play the role of Ewen Montagu (and others) in the SpitLip musical comedy.

Watch the video below to find out how they “made a man”, as well as Young’s experience of auditioning in front of Hodgson and much more:

Written and composed by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Hodgson and Zoë Roberts of SpitLip, the piece is based on a true story of the twisted secret mission that helped win World War II. First seen off-West End in 2019, it had developmental runs at the New Diorama Theatre, Southwark Playhouse and Riverside Studios.

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. Casting is by Pearson Casting.

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.

The show is set for a UK and worldwide tour early next year.

Want to listen in your ears? We’ve also uploaded the episode as a dedicated podcast:

And it’s on Spotify here:

Tickets are on sale now.