Richmond Theatre will welcome The Spy Who Came in From the Cold when the stage adaptation of John le Carré’s novel embarks on a UK tour in 2026.
Adapted for Chichester Festival Theatre by playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge (Festen, End) this is the first novel by spy novellist le Carré to be brought to life on stage. Jeremy Herrin will direct. Casting is to be announced.
British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is weary, hardened and ready to come in from the cold. But when spymaster George Smiley presents one final mission — dangerous, deceptive, and deeply personal — Leamas agrees to stay in the game. Dispatched into enemy territory, he finds his convictions tested and his defences breached by Liz Gold, a quietly defiant librarian whose compassion threatens to thaw his frostbitten heart.
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is designed by Max Jones with lighting design by Azusa Ono, sound design by Elizabeth Purnell, composition by Paul Englishby, and movement direction by Lucy Cullingford. General Management is by Second Half Productions with Melting Pot as Executive Producer for the UK Tour.
Following its 2024 sold out premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold will receive its West End premiere @sohoplace with a 14-week run from November 17, 2025 – February 21, 2026 ahead of the production’s first UK tour in March 2026.
The show will play Richmond Theatre from May 19-23, 2026.
Tickets here.
Top image: Rory Keenan (as Alec Leamas) in The Spy Who Came In From The Cold at Chichester Festival Theatre (c) Johan Persson (image supplied)