Following a triumphant, sold-out premiere at the Chichester Festival Theatre, the first-ever stage adaptation of John le Carré’s seminal thriller, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, is heading to London’s West End. The production is set for a strictly limited 14-week engagement @sohoplace, running from 17 November 2025 through 21 February 2026.
This highly anticipated run marks a historic moment for literary and theatre fans alike, as it represents the first time any of le Carré’s iconic novels have been brought to life on the stage. Adapted by award-winning playwright David Eldridge (Festen, Beginning) and directed by Jeremy Herrin (People, Places and Things), the play arrives in London ahead of a major 2026 UK tour.
The story follows Alec Leamas, a hardened British intelligence officer weary of the clandestine life. When spymaster George Smiley presents one final mission—a dangerous, deceptive gambit deep in enemy territory—Leamas’s convictions are tested by the intervention of Liz Gold, a quietly defiant librarian whose compassion threatens to breach his professional defenses.
"It has been a great privilege adapting John le Carré's youthful masterpiece for the theatre," says Eldridge. "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold asks us how one can retain one’s humanity and morality if one must operate with the same impunity and brutality as your enemy."
Director Jeremy Herrin adds, "Rapt full houses in Chichester told us that this novel translates meaningfully to the stage. David Eldridge keeps us on the edge of our seats through the twists and turns of this shattering and thrilling ride."
The production features a world-class creative team, including design by Max Jones, lighting by Azusa Ono, and a score by Paul Englishby. Tickets for the London engagement at the state-of-the-art @sohoplace are expected to be in high demand following the initial sell-out run.
Reserve, book and buy The Spy Who Came In From The Cold tickets securely through the official site below.
