Operation Mincemeat is back at Lowry where it all began

And what a journey the show has been on since those fledgling days when the Lowry supported the team from SplitLip to develop an idea for a musical based on a scarcely believable moment which was pivotal to the Allies’ success in the Second World War.

When the show opens next week it will mark the beginning of a world tour; the production has also enjoyed extended runs on both Broadway and in the West End picking up a host of awards along the way.

For Holly Sumpton and Charlotte Hanna-Williams, the opportunity to take the musical unlike any other around the country was simply one they could not resist.

Both have been in the show before – Holly having been part of the West End cast for an extended run and Charlotte as an understudy for a limited time.

Holly said: “I’m so fortunate to have been part of the show’s journey from when it started in the West End. I was able to witness the elation of the team when they saw the set and the fact that their dream was actually happening.

“It’s a real privilege to be part of that next chapter.”

Charlotte added that the fact the tour begins at the Lowry makes it extra special.

Holly Sumpton as Ewen Montagu in Operation Mincemeat (Picture: Matt Crockett)

“It just feels as though Operation Mincemeat has become this sort of super power which is why it’s so wonderful for us to go back to where it all started; it’s such a full circle moment, it’s just fab.

“It’s also testament to investing in small shows and small theatre companies – just look where it can lead.”

Operation Mincemeat is based on the true story of a top secret mission to fool the Germans into thinking the Allies were about to invade Greece when in reality Sicily was the target.

To achieve this, they used the body of a homeless man, dressed him in military uniform, stuffed fake invasion plans in his pockets and left him for the Germans to discover.

The show sees a cast of just five performers play countless characters.

Holly said: “Looking at how far the production has come, what is so amazing and so charming is that it has grown in scale in terms of the size of theatres and number of venues but it has never lost its charm which allows five people to put on, it has never lost the essence.”

Charlotte added: “You could have a cast of 30 doing what we do and it would all be delightfully easy but then it would totally lose its charm. The challenge for us going into these bigger venues on tour is to retain that lovely fringe feel which is integral to the show.”

With lightning fast costume changes, actors playing multiple roles and, not forgetting that Operation is also a musical, the production can border on the chaotic but it never gets out of control.

“We always say there’s a second show going on backstage,” said Charlotte. “There’s so much running around, changing costumes but it becomes like clockwork. It is chaos backstage but that’s what makes it so exciting for us. You can never relax in this show but that keeps it exciting.

“And you know what, sometimes things do go wrong but that’s quite fun as well. Of course we try and rein he chaos in as much as we can.”

“I think you have to treat a show like this as a team sport,” said Holly. “You can’t be out there on your own just doing your thing; you have to put total trust in each other.”

At face value, the success of Operation Mincemeat is not something that could ever have been predicted.

“It’s testament to the audiences in some ways,” said Charlotte. “We purposely keep a lot of the details about the show under wraps because we don’t want to spoil it. So often audiences will come not really knowing a lot about the show – they know it’s a musical, about the war and they’ve just decided to give it a go.

“We are so privileged that so many come back again and again they love it so much. Audiences take a chance on not knowing what’s going to happen or what’s coming next and they love it.”

Being part of a show which has almost achieved legendary status – it has currently received 88 five-star reviews around the world and counting – does that put extra pressure on the cast?

“I suppose there is a lot of pressure,” said Holly, “and that pressure comes in different ways. We are telling this really important story which really happened involving real people so there’s a pressure there too. But it’s told in such a refreshing new way it makes whole thing very exciting.

“There are certain lines I’ll say which feel so topical. The piece itself is fun and irreverent and silly yet it is able to touch on very important things happening which don’t just feel like they have been shoehorned in.

“The show comes from a place of humanity which I think is what makes it so effective.”

Charlotte added: “One of the unique things is that many of characters are deeply flawed; they may have views or carry out actions that maybe are not great and yet you are rooting for every single one of them. It’s not a question of them being a good guy or a bad guy. As an audience member you know they may have flaws but you still want them to succeed, you want the characters to win.”

Having been part of the show in the West End, both Holly and Charlotte didn’t think twice about the opportunity to take Operation Mincemeat on tour in the UK for the first time.

“I was only in the show for three months so I felt as though I was just finding my feet when the run ended,” said Charlotte, “so I am so excited to come back.”

Holly added: “Just coming into rehearsals and hearing the music has been magical. It’s not something I’ve ever experienced before with any show.”

For the tour, the production will be using the set originally designed for Broadway.

“That’s made rehearsals even more exciting,” said Charlotte. “It’s the same story, that will never change, but we’ve now the set for larger spaces which takes technical elements that don’t fit into lovely Fortune Theatre in the West End.

“At its heart you have you have the story you would have seen all those years ago when it started out, just scaled up. That’s so exciting.”

Operation Mincemeat is at the Lowry, Salford from Monday, February 16 to Saturday, February 28. Details from www.thelowry.com