Limited yellow vinyl to mark International Women's Day

A song from West End musical Operation Mincemeat is to be released as a single to mark International Women's Day.

Dear Bill is based on a plaintive letter written by an MI5 secretary to a fictional sweetheart during the Second World War. It was planted on a corpse among other papers – including bogus plans for an invasion – to make it seem like that of a downed airman. 

The real-life plan on which the comedy musical is based was for the Nazis to be taken in by the documents so they would be misdirected away from the Allies’ true intent. 

The elaborate scheme has largely been attributed to agents Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley. 

However, the musical highlights the role of  MI5 secretary Hester Leggatt, who wrote the Dear Bill letter. Fans of the show were inspired to  uncover the missing pieces of her life, and last week 1,000 people attended a plaque unveiling in her honour last week at the Fortune Theatre. (Read more about their efforts here)

Today - on what would have been Leggatt’s 118th birthday – Sony Music has announced it will be releasing a limited-edition 7-inch yellow vinyl  version of her song from the musical, as sung by Jak Malone.

It will feature the original cast recording on the A-side and a live recording from the Fortune Theatre on the B-side.

Malone said: "I love performing Dear Bill each night. I’m so happy that Hester’s legacy will be further marked by this release to coincide with International Women’s Day. A day when it is important to remember the women who have made an impact, both on our own lives and on the world at large. I think Hester’s story is a shining example of just that.

‘I’m particularly excited about the addition of a live recording from the show, listeners are able to hear what Dear Bill sounds like on any given night here at The Fortune Theatre. I hope you have your tissues handy!’

Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical has recently extended its West End run for the seventh time through to September 22, 2024. The vinyl single can be ordered here, priced £19.99. 

Published: 20 Dec 2023