Join actors, pathologists, forensic scientists and historians to investigate the true story of Operation Mincemeat.

As part of a series of related participatory events, and in partnership with The Churchill Museum and The Cabinet War Rooms, Cardboard Citizens will stage a two-part investigation into the controversy surrounding the story of 'the man who never was'.

For these two fact based 'Coroner's Inquests', audiences join actors, pathologists, forensic scientists and historians in investigating the truth about the identity of Major Martin and the use of a body in this bizarre wartime scam.

Part One: WHO WASN'T THAT MAN?

Tuesday 23 June 2009, 5pm

On the set of our production of Mincemeat a panel, including pathologists and historians, will examine conflicting claims about the true identity of this celebrated corpse. Was he a homeless alcoholic who died from ingesting rat poison in a Kings Cross warehouse? Or a drowned sailor, fished out of the Firth of Clyde, only to be 'drowned' again off Spain?

Speakers confirmed:

Roger Morgan - historian and journalist.
John and Noreen Steele authors of The Secrets of HMS Dasher.
Prof. Sebastian Lucas, Head of Clinical Histopathology, King’s College London.

Part Two: FUNERAL RIGHTS?

Monday 29 June, 6.30pm for 7pm

Is the wartime use of a dead body ethical? Do the dead have human rights? The investigation continues with another panel of experts, this time in the atmospheric surroundings of The Cabinet War Rooms. The debate widens to compare the military and medical use of corpses as the company challenges the audience to consider what is justifiable for the greater good.

Speakers Confirmed:

Speakers confirmed: Nicholas Rankin – Author ‘Churchill’s Wizards, The British Genius For Deception’, Mark Seaman – Intelligence Historian, Professor Peter Furness, President, The Royal College of Pathologists.

Cardboard Citizens would like to thank the Wellcome Trust for funding the inquests.

To receive a DVD documenting the Coroners' Inquests, please email valentine@cardboardcitizens.org.uk