The Spy Who Came In From The Cold

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold Tickets

John Le Carre’s seminal spy thriller comes to the stage for the first time.

4.7 29 reviews from 29 verified reviews
  • Booking until: Saturday, 21 February 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 10min. Incl. 1 Interval.
Tickets from £42.00
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The Spy Who Came In From The Cold in London

Step back into the Cold War era with this dark, thrilling adaptation of the best-selling 1963 spy novel, where an undercover spy is forced to tackle moral dilemmas while staying alive during a deadly mission. John Ramm and Rory Keenan star as John Le Carre’s iconic spy characters Smiley and Lemeas.

Why should you see The Spy Who Came in from the Cold?

  • Named one of TIME Magazine’s top 100 novels of all time, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is the quintessential spy story by one of the greatest postwar novelists.
  • This play takes you right back into the Cold War, an era characterised by dizzying backdoor politics and covert warfare, tackling themes that feel stirringly relevant today.
  • Full of twists and turns, secrets and betrayals, this story will have you on the edge of your seat throughout, whether you’re a fan of Le Carre or new to the genre.

What is The Spy Who Came in from the Cold about?

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is based on the 1963 Cold War era spy novel by John Le Carre. After an assignment gone wrong, British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is charged by his boss, George Smiley, with a deadly undercover mission into East Germany to pose as a faux defector. But the mission is not all it seems and Leamas soon learns that there may be heroes and villains on both sides.

The play now makes its West End transfer after a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre, where the Financial Times called it a ‘gripping adaptation, staged with moody flair’ and The Stage praised it as ‘stylish, cinematic’. Playwright David Eldridge (Beginning, Middle) and director Jeremy Herrin (A Mirror, People, Places and Things) come together to adapt this thrilling, incisive novel that shines a light on the darkest parts of the human soul. John Ramm (King Lear, Wolf Hall/Bring Up The Bodies) stars as Le Carre’s famous spymaster George Smiley and Rory Keenan (Somewhere Boy, The Regime) as the disillusioned spy Alec Leamas.

Described by Eldridge as ‘a strikingly relevant story for our times’, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is full of twists and turns, capturing the moody, paranoid atmosphere of the Cold War, and packed with a searing commentary on the brutal realities of espionage and covert warfare. As the first, and hopefully not the last, Le Carre novel to be adapted for the stage, you won’t want to miss this sizzling, epic spy thriller.

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold Last Minute Tickets

today 19th Feb 2026 2:30pm from £59.00 7:30pm from £60.00
tomorrow 20th Feb 2026 7:30pm from £43.00
Saturday 21st Feb 2026 2:30pm from £102.00 7:30pm from £60.00

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold Official Theatre Tickets

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The Spy Who Came In From The Cold Ticket Information

  • Booking until:

    Saturday, 21 February 2026

  • Running time:

    2hr 10min. Incl. 1 Interval.

  • Age restrictions

    Ages 12+. Children aged 14 and under must be accompanied by, and sat next to, an adult aged 18 or over.

  • Important Information

    This production contains strong language and derogatory language prevalent at the period; and depictions of violence including gunshots.

  • Cancellations & Refunds

    Once booked, tickets to The Spy Who Came In From The Cold are usually non exchangeable and non refundable as per our terms & conditions. In practice, however, we will do our best to accommodate your request as long as we are notified at least 48 hours before the performance. Please contact us for more information.

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The Spy Who Came In From The Cold reviews

4.7 out of 5 29 reviews

What to expect:

Acting
Music
Costumes
Story
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  • Recommended for:
  • Theatregoers (100%)
Latest customer reviews

All reviews are from customers who have been invited to leave a review just after seeing The Spy Who Came In From The Cold.

verified

The venue is great , not a bad seat on the house! But, am tall & knees hit the next row. Thought the lead character was bored with his lines and knocked them out, perhaps some of the other characters could do more ! Thought the 2 female characters reflected the sign of the times that the play was set in, but again their characters could be better thought through.

M Reviewed on 13 February 2026 by
United Kingdom

verified

Great show

S Reviewed on 13 February 2026 by
United Kingdom

verified

Amazing show

I know a little of John Le Carre's work but, thankfully, went into this particular one with no fore-knowledge. Amazing show, amazing story.

M Reviewed on 07 February 2026 by
United Kingdom

verified

Outstanding performance by a brilliant mature cast

Catch it before it closes soon, acting at its best. Time just flew. Exceptionally strong leads. Pleasure to watch

P Reviewed on 07 February 2026 by
United Kingdom

verified

See soon

A great plot brilliantly adapted for the stage .

R Reviewed on 07 February 2026 by
United Kingdom

verified

Great acting and a good plot based on a book

A Reviewed on 04 February 2026 by
United Kingdom

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Captivating and tense, as the book demands

I really enjoyed this adaptation of Le Carre’s excellent book. Great, solid acting by all of the cast; particularly those who played more than one role. Well done cast and crew.

D Reviewed on 04 February 2026 by
United Kingdom

verified

Better than the film!

The Sohoplace Theatre was a great discovery. Modern and comfortable. Loved the fact that the actors weren’t miked.

U Reviewed on 04 February 2026 by
United Kingdom

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Wonderful thestre

This was well directed and brilliantly acted.

J Reviewed on 27 January 2026 by
United Kingdom

verified

Riveting, certainly holds your attention

Riveting with an excellent cast, a very good production. A story well told, recommend.

S Reviewed on 27 January 2026 by
United Kingdom

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Clever theatrical interpretation of classic

Thoroughly enjoyed the play, very intense, caught the essence of the cold War period.

J Reviewed on 24 January 2026 by
United Kingdom

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Top Drawer Production in every respect.

This is a truly excellent adaptation of the Le Carre novel. The stage setting is brilliant and the play well acted by the cast throughout. Brings the Le Carre novel to life.

N Reviewed on 22 January 2026 by
United Kingdom

verified

Very engaging show

G Reviewed on 22 January 2026 by
United Kingdom

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Atmospheric, well staged.

A Reviewed on 18 January 2026 by
United Kingdom

verified

From the very first moment the play pulled you into the intrigue, ugliness and unavoidable capriciousness in the world of counter intelligence. The play moves at an incredible pace. There’s no padding or wasted minutes as it brings the novel to life and reveals elements I didn’t see or appreciate in the novel.

D Reviewed on 17 January 2026 by
United Kingdom

verified

Great scene and acting, though mediocre story

The seats that I we had and what we have received by email after purchase differed from the seats that we have selected when purchasing online!!!!

A Reviewed on 17 January 2026 by
France

verified

Acting very good. Although the actors walked around the stage constantly, I could hear very well when the actors spoke with their backs towards me. However, my husband who is slightly deaf missed some of the dialogue.

J Reviewed on 16 January 2026 by
United Kingdom

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Concentration

You are hanging on every word incase you miss a clue in the double betrayals going on -really have to listen out for names of characters -the more clearing spoken actors are a joy! The audience are as if trying to hear a pin drop not wanting to miss anything!! Very good !! But would not advise a glass of wine before thd show -you need all your faculties about you! Excellent though!!

K Reviewed on 08 January 2026 by
United Kingdom

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Holiday treat

Great acting, very entertaining.

G Reviewed on 02 January 2026 by
United Kingdom

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Amazing

L Reviewed on 29 December 2025 by
United Kingdom

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A unique intimate theatre in the round giving you an wonderfully immersive experience.Only downside was the slightly restrictive legroom on the front seats

A Reviewed on 28 December 2025 by
United Kingdom

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Not sure how well the theatre in the round suited the story - rather a lot of circling around with raised voices to include the audience behind Good acting though

J Reviewed on 21 December 2025 by
United Kingdom

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Innovative set design

Well done. Possibly more action needed in first act. Stage direction excellent

R Reviewed on 13 December 2025 by
United Kingdom

verified

Masterful le Carre

Any spy fan will love this , glorious intrigue, plot twists and turns and first rate acting.

R Reviewed on 09 December 2025 by
United Kingdom

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21 May
Emmie Newitt West End premiere of John le Carré’s THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD announced by Emmie Newitt Wednesday, May 21 2025, 07:28