Currently in previews at London's Fortune Theatre, new World War II musical Operation Mincemeat is dropping its original London cast recording via Sony Music May 12. The album will be released for streaming and digital platforms in addition to physical CD and vinyl releases.
Operation Mincemeat began previews for its West End premiere March 31, and will open its eight-week run May 9. Set in 1943, it is based on the true story of a secret military operation meant to turn the tide of the war. With the Allies losing, the British military develop an idea: to use the well-dressed corpse of a homeless man to feed Hitler and his advisors incorrect information.
Ahead of the album's release, fans have voted for four tracks to be released. "God That's Brilliant" was the first and "Sail On, Boys" has now dropped (give it a listen here). Fans also selected "All the Ladies" and "Das Übermensch," which are set to be released soon.
SpitLip's David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts wrote and composed Operation Mincemeat. The album is produced by Grammy winner and Tony, Emmy, Olivier nominee Steve Sidwell (Beautiful: The Musical). The album featured David Cumming, Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, Jak Malone, and Zoë Roberts, alongside the in-house band. The five are currently reprising their roles from the show's Off-West End runs for its West End bow.
Take a look at the full track listing:
- Born To Lead
- God That’s Brilliant
- Dead in the Water
- All the Ladies
- The Pitch
- Making a Man
- Dear Bill
- Sail on, Boys
- Just for Tonight
- Das Übermensch
- Bevan’s Update
- The Ballad of Willie Watkins
- Spilsbury Reprise
- Useful
- Act as If
- Did We Do It?
- A Glitzy Finale
2023 Olivier nominee Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky's Edge) directs the production with Olivier nominee Jenny Arnold (Jerry Springer: The Opera) returning as choreographer from the show's previous run at Riverside Studios in the summer of 2022. Joining them on the creative team are 2023 Olivier nominee Ben Stones (Sylvia) as set and costume designer, Tony and Olivier winner Mark Henderson (Girl From the North Country) as lighting designer, Olivier winner Mike Walker (Jerry Springer: The Opera) as sound designer, and Tony and Olivier nominee Steve Sidwell (Beautiful: The Musical) as orchestrator and vocal arranger.
The story has previously been adapted into three books, a TV episode, a play, and two films. The latest adaptation was the 2022 movie starring Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald, Penelope Wilton, and Mark Gatiss.
Operation Mincemeat was commissioned by New Diorama Theatre, co-commissioned by The Lowry, and supported by the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat with additional support from Avalon. It played five sold-out development runs at the New Diorama Theatre in 2019, followed by runs at Southwark Playhouse in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Last summer, the musical also had an extended run at Riverside Studios.
The show is presented in the West End by Avalon in association with SpitLip. Fortune Theatre was previously home to the 33-year run of The Woman in Black.
Visit OperationMincemeat.com.
