I saw Operation Mincemeat at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre and it was the best musical I have seen all year. This remarkable true story has been transformed into a musical spectacular that is the best thing I have seen all year.
A Surprise Masterpiece
You know that moment where you sit down and have genuinely no idea what you are about to see, a mix of excitement and nerves all mashed together? This was me. I had heard rumblings of hype and seen posters for a film of the same name starring my man crush, Colin Firth, but beyond that, I had absolutely no inkling or expectations when taking my seat at Birmingham's Alexandra to watch Operation Mincemeat the musical.
From the word go, I had tears in my eyes - some happy, some sad. Quirky, quick-witted and with enough quick changes to shake a tail feather at!
Stellar Cast and Clever Design
This small, intimate cast of five was top class, deserving of all the war medals I can buy on eBay. The first thing you realise is each actor plays multiple roles and gender is no object. Each switch of character was distinct and effortless and so utterly transformative. Jordan Pearson had all my attention with seamless transitions between the gentle yet stoic Hester to various outrageous side characters, including the glitzy yet gory Spilsby.
Theatre nerd alert - can I fangirl about the lighting design? You may not always notice it first but you know when it goes wrong. Every spotlight was focused and polished and the story catapulted forward with every second of action. The set was also outstanding - these are the behind-the-scenes geniuses that turn one space into 20 spaces. I always admire the craft that goes behind turning an MI5 basement into a bar, a boat and a nightclub all in about 0.5 seconds.
Unforgettable Finale
They say you should go out with a bang - and the final 15 minutes of this show were some of the most enjoyable moments of my theatre viewing life. So much so I have talked about it relentlessly in the hours since (sorry to anyone within a certain radius). This was honestly one of the most exceptional shows I have ever seen - it is fast-paced, so you have to pay attention. If you can keep up, you will realise what a joy it is to witness this show!
The Operation Mincemeat UK tour runs at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre until Saturday, May 16, before continuing around the UK.
