THE DEBUTANTES

The Debutantes is a musical with book and lyrics by Sam Norman and music by Eliza Randall. It is based on a true story about the women who worked in Bletchley Park, the central site for British cryptanalysts during World War II. Nicknamed the debutantes, or the "debs", these women played pivotal roles in the outcome of WWII. 

This musical follows Mavis Lever Batey, the greatest hero nobody has every heard of – a linguist who at the age of 19 joined the debs and became one of the leading codebreakers at Bletchley, instrumental in cracking the Italian Naval Enigma and Abwher Enigma machines, crucial in the success of the D-day landings in 1944. 

Due to the secrecy of their work, Mavis and the other debs were unable to talk about their experiences with their parents, spouses, friends, or even children, and their efforts went unrecognized for six decades before the Bletchley Park records were released to the public.

Theirs is a story that has been lost to the history books – until now.

The Debutantes is currently the flagship project in development with the relaunched Manhattan Musical Theatre Lab, and had two workshop performances at The Public’s studios in October 2025. The director was Chloe Treat, the music director was Mila Henry, and the President/General Director was James Rodgers.

The Debutantes has received additional development with institutions including the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, Leeds Conservatoire and Manhattan School of Music. 

Two of its songs, “A Letter at a Time” and “Reason and Love”, have been finalists for the Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize.