Last year, the West End musical “Operation Mincemeat” initiated a creative publicity campaign, questioning, “Are we too British for Broadway?” This campaign encouraged American fans to participate in an online survey regarding their comprehension of British accents, to which 90.2 percent of respondents replied negatively.
Set to premiere on March 20 at the Golden Theater on Broadway, the musical, which is a comedic take on a World War II spy operation, arrives in the U.S. after receiving an Olivier Award for best new musical and high expectations. Its preview period allows adjustments to better resonate with New York audiences.
Director Robert Hastie expressed surprise at the audience feedback and actively sought input from viewers, even providing his email address during the first preview. He noted the show’s adaptability, stating, “This show has always grown and developed from what the audience has been kind enough to give back.”
The original Operation Mincemeat was a covert British mission during 1943, which involved using a dead body to mislead the Nazis regarding Allied invasion plans. The musical adaptation, which debuted in London in 2019, has gained a loyal audience and continues to perform at the Fortune Theater in the West End.
Hastie discovered that Broadway audiences prefer a more concise narrative, prompting the removal of some historical exposition for clarity. He commented on the American audience's love for comedy, noting that they appreciate slapstick humor, leading to increased comic elements involving characters and props.
Written by the comedy group SpitLip, the production features five actors portraying 82 characters. The cast includes SpitLip members David Cumming, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts, along with Jak Malone and Claire-Marie Hall. The original cast has transitioned to the New York production.
The creative background of the cast has allowed for a flexible production capable of making quick adjustments. However, on Broadway, changes are limited to avoid disrupting technical elements like lighting. The cast is prepared to refine the show in response to audience reactions, with minor adjustments made to clarify cultural references for American audiences.
Notably, a segment on British “public school” was changed to “private school” to eliminate confusion, and references involving British political figures were clarified. Additionally, the opening voice-over was modified to emphasize the true nature of the story.
The production has cultivated a unique rapport with its fans, known as "Mincefluencers," some of whom traveled to New York for the premiere, creating a lively atmosphere outside the theater after the show.
The transition to the larger Golden Theater, which seats approximately 800, has not required significant changes to the show’s choreography or timing due to the similar stage layout. “Some of the costume changes are very, very fast,” remarked Malone.
Though the real Operation Mincemeat has previously been depicted in various media, the idea of a comedic musical centered on such an audacious historical event initially seemed unlikely. The concept was inspired by a podcast, which led Hodgson to rethink her initial reluctance about the subject matter.
The cast size was intentionally limited to five to create a dynamic performance, utilizing costumes to help portray various characters. The production embraces gender-blind casting, allowing for commentary on traditional power structures.
Hastie noted a changing dynamic in New York audiences, who appear to be engaging with the themes of democracy embedded within the musical narrative. He observed that audiences are responding not just to the humor, but to the significance of denouncing the values represented by the antagonists.
Overall, “Operation Mincemeat” is resonating deeply with audiences, highlighting both comedic elements and meaningful societal themes amid a rapidly evolving cultural landscape.