Duration
2 hrs 10 mins with interval
Closing Date
Until February 21, 2026
Age limit
Suitable for 13+ yrs
Why Watch The Spy Who Came In From The Cold?
- Don’t miss the first-ever West End adaptation of John le Carré’s Cold War classic that won the 1963 Gold Dagger Award for “Best Crime Novel” and was voted one of TIME magazine’s 100 greatest novels of all time.
- After a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre, this critically acclaimed production is coming to @sohoplace for 14 weeks only. Catch the show in the West End’s latest purpose-built theatre, with in-the-round seating for maximum suspense.
- Directed by Olivier nominee Jeremy Herrin (A Mirror, People, Places & Things) and written by David Eldridge (Beginning), this team brings high-calibre theatrical excellence to the stage.
- Rory Keenan (Somewhere Boy, The Regime) and Agnes O’Casey (Black Doves) lead the cast through a gripping tale of betrayal, ideology, and the personal toll of espionage.
- If you love gritty realism over gadgetry, this spy story focuses on murky morals and the quiet violence of betrayal. Book your tickets for a moody, stripped-back production that brings 1920s noir back to life on stage.
For the first time, John le Carré’s seminal Cold War 1963 thriller The Spy Who Came in from the Cold arrives on the West End stage — adapted by David Eldridge and directed by Jeremy Herrin. You might already be familiar with other le Carré adaptations before, including Tom Hiddleston’s The Night Manager and Tinker Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
Transferring from a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre, this production is a high-stakes blend of psychological depth and political intrigue. Eldridge’s adaptation strips back the glamour often associated with espionage, exposing its emotional and moral cost. The play features Somewhere Boy’s Rory Keenan as Leamas and Black Doves’ Agnes O’Casey as Liz Gold, with a stellar returning cast that includes John Ramm, Gunnar Cauthery, and Philip Arditti.
With direction from Jeremy Herrin (People, Places and Things, A Mirror) and a raw, minimalist design by Max Jones, book your tickets for a show where le Carré’s tale feels more relevant than ever.
Storyline
British spy Alec Leamas is burnt out. But one last assignment interrupts his retirement, designed to infiltrate and discredit an enemy target. As the mission unfolds, so do layers of deception, shifting alliances, and a romance that threatens to expose everything. As love and lies collide, book your tickets to see whether Leamas learns to trust.
Show timings
Show timings for The Spy Who Came In From The Cold may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Cast & Crew
Leading roles: Rory Keenan as Alec Leamas, Agnes O’Casey as Liz Gold, John Ramm as George Smiley, Gunnar Cauthery as Hans-Dieter Mundt
Supporting cast: Philip Arditti, Norma Atallah, Matt Betteridge, Ian Drysdale, Tom Kanji, David Rubin
Director: Jeremy Herrin
Playwright: David Eldridge
Original author: John le Carré
Set designer: Max Jones
Lighting: Azusa Ono
Sound design: Elizabeth Purnell
Composer: Paul Englishby
Movement: Lucy Cullingford
Fight direction: Bret Yount
Voice coach: Hazel Holder
Age Suitability
This show is recommended for ages 13 years and above.
For all productions at Nimax Theatres, children aged 14 and below must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over and sat in seats next to each other.
The production contains strong language and derogatory language prevalent at the period; and depictions of violence including gunshots.
Age suitability recommendations are just suggestions. So, trust your judgment when booking tickets for any show, and enjoy!
Access performances: The BSL performance is on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 7:30pm; the captioned performance is on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 7:30pm; and the audio described performance is on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 7:30pm.
Most theatres are air-conditioned year-round, so it can get a bit chilly. Bring a light jacket just in case.
Sohoplace Theatre
Soho Place in London is a well-known venue for hosting thought-provoking plays and performances. The theater has a seating capacity of 600, making for an intimate and immersive viewing experience. With its central location in Charing Cross Rd, Soho Place is easily accessible and a favorite spot among theater enthusiasts. Seating Capacity: 600 The @sohoplace seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theater.
Getting There
- Address: 4 Soho Pl, Charing Cross Rd, London W1D 3BG, UK
- By metro:
The nearest tube station is Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square.
- By train:
Train is another option to reach @sohoplace London. The venue is 15-18 minutes from Charing Cross Station, served by the Bakerloo and Northern lines.
- By bus:
6, 9, 87, 243, and 341 (Aldwych); 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 168, 171, 172, 188, 243, 341, and 521 (The Strand)
Facilities & Accessibility
Amenities: Dining outlets, Toilets, Cloak room, Souvenir shop
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Service animals allowed, Elevator access
Additional Information
- Security: To ensure your comfort and security, you might encounter a few security checks when you arrive at the venue.
- Dress code: Smart casual or semi-formal attire is the way to go.
- Outside food: While outside food isn't usually allowed, many theaters have cafes or restaurants nearby for you to check out before or after the show.
Tickets Redemption
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Cancellation & Refunds
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions
The cost of the tickets starts from £31.25 and will vary depending on the type of seats you choose.
The show does not have a strict age limit. However, it is most suitable for children aged 14 years and above.
The show is playing at @sohoplace Theatre in London.
Alec Leamas, a British intelligence officer, takes on one final, dangerous mission in Cold War Berlin. It’s a story of deception, betrayal, and the toll of a life spent undercover.
The running time is 2 hours and 10 minutes including 1 intermission.
Rory Keenan plays Alec Leamas, Agnes O’Casey stars as Liz Gold, and John Ramm takes on the role of George Smiley.
No! While le Carré fans will love it, this production stands on its own as a gripping night of theatre.
