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The Spy Who Came In From The Cold

For the first time ever, a novel by John le Carré — the undisputed master of the modern spy genre — is brought to life in a thrilling stage adaptation.

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, a towering work of twentiethcentury fiction, comes to the West End for what promises to be the theatrical event of the autumn: a journey through the fog-shrouded terrain of Cold War espionage, deception, and moral compromise.

British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is weary, hardened, and ready to come in from the cold. But when his boss George Smiley presents one final mission — dangerous, deceptive, and deeply personal — Leamas agrees to stay in the game. Dispatched into enemy territory, he finds hisconvictions tested and his defences breached by Liz Gold, a quietly defiant librarian whose compassion threatens to thaw his frostbitten heart.

A global bestseller for over six decades and named one of TIME Magazine’s All-Time 100 Novels, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is le Carré at his most incisive — a story of betrayal not onlybetween nations, but within the human soul.

Following a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre, this West End premiere reunites playwright David Eldridge (Beginning, Middle) and director Jeremy Herrin (A Mirror, People, Places and Things) for a theatrical experience of rare intensity.

BSL:

  • Friday, 23rd January, 7:30pm

Captioned:

  • Wednesday, 4th February, 7:30pm

Audio Described:

  • Thursday, 12th February, 7:30pm

Important Information

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

Age Restrictions

Ages 12+.

Performance Times

Now taking bookings for performances from Mon 17th November 2025 until Sat 21st February 2026.

Show times for each day are below.

Mon

7.30pm

Tue

7.30pm

Wed

7.30pm

Thu

7.30pm

Fri

7.30pm

Sat

2.30pm
7.30pm

Sun

-

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold photo from the show The Spy Who Came In From The Cold photo from the show
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold photo from the show
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold photo from the show The Spy Who Came In From The Cold photo from the show
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold photo from the show
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold photo from the show The Spy Who Came In From The Cold photo from the show
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold photo from the show

Soho Place Details

Buses Icon Bus routes: 1

Night Buses Icon Night buses: N1, N171

London Underground Icon Tube lines: Central, Northern, Elizabeth

London Underground Icon Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road

Congestion Zone Icon In congestion zone?: No

Soho Place Location

2 Soho Place, London, WC1
Get directions

Please note: The location shown on the map is an approximate location of the theatre. In the majority of cases the theatre will be marked on the map so please make sure you locate the exact location yourself. If the theatre is not shown on the map please make sure you locate the correct road name and take account of the directions.

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold

Soho Place, London

Running until: Sat 21st February 2026

Running time: 2hr 10min. Incl. 1 Interval.