In a refreshing change of pace, Spit Lip Production's Operation Mincemeat proves that war stories don't always need to be serious. When the (true) story is as far-fetched as this one is, the show has a license to well and truly run with and embrace the nonsense, creating a surprising evening of entertainment that has barely just begun invading the West End. 

The rules of the game are established early. There's a cast of five here, playing many roles a lá Come From Away with gender bent casting at play here too. It's a giant free for all but it works incredibly well, heavily contrasting the war films we've come to know. The contrast here works in the production’s favour and creates a wonderful atmosphere akin the zany story that's about to take place. 

It's the middle of WWII and the British forces are in desperate need of an advantage over the Germans. Luckily MI5 operative Charles Cholmondeley (Sean Carey) is here to pitch an audacious idea involving a stolen corpse that just might work. It's astonishing, it truly is, that this is a real story. And the in’s and out’s have been captured in such vivid and easy to follow detail. 

This is in no small part due to the fantastically witty writing of its book and lyrics. They really are "genius" (‘Jump to the Left, Step to the Far Right’ may just be the *best* satirical lyric in a Beyonce-inspired Nazi showtune we have ever heard!) You can hear the effort that has gone into the writing, re-writing and further re-writing to truly hone this musical into the show you see today. The music is also incredibly catchy. It's not often with a completely original musical that you leave the studio humming multiple numbers (‘Making a Hero’ and ‘Act as If You Do When You Don't’ being wonderful highlights). 

Not only is it incredibly farcical though, but there are also moments of genuine heart that catch the audience completely of guard in the best way possible; Jak Malone, we're looking at you and your performance of Dear Bill. A delightful moment of genuine emotion within a show of utter nonsense is hard to pull off, but it slots in perfectly thanks to Malone's tender performance. 

The rest of the cast all give excellent comedic character driven performances, especially that of Natasha Hodgson, who never breaks for a second holding the perfect hyperbolic physicality of a military man in power. It makes for exceptional satire in an already jam-packed show. 

What this show needs now is the West End. Its niche group of fans is out there waiting to be fully found. A fuller band with wider orchestrations and a venue that is more sure of itself to hold a musical (*cough cough* The Other Palace) would allow this show to reach its full potential. And we, for one, can't wait to see that happen.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Callum Wallace

Operation Mincemeat plays at Riverside Studios until 23 July, with tickets available here.