Cold War intrigue and emotional turmoil collide in The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, John Le Carré's classic novel brought to vivid life in a compelling new stage production at London's intimate @sohoplace theatre.
Following its successful premiere in Chichester, this lean and pacy adaptation by writer David Eldridge and director Jeremy Herrin has been reworked for an in-the-round staging that immerses audiences in the shadowy world of 1960s espionage.
A Masterclass in Minimalist Storytelling
The production achieves remarkable atmosphere with strikingly simple elements. A map of postwar Europe printed on the floor, rumpled camel coats, and haunting jazz trumpet interludes create the perfect backdrop for this tale of moral ambiguity and personal sacrifice.
Eldridge's efficient adaptation wastes no time plunging viewers into the heart of the story, where suave intelligence boss Control, played by Ian Drysdale, demonstrates that English politeness can conceal Soviet-style ruthlessness when necessary.
Haunting Performances Drive Emotional Core
Rory Keenan delivers a powerful performance as Alec Leamas, bringing a rougher, more careworn energy to le Carré's conflict-scarred protagonist. Leamas is haunted by the memory of his colleague Riemeck's death - particularly the haunting click-click of bicycle wheels spinning after he was shot.
This recurring sound effect becomes a psychological motif throughout the play, mirroring Leamas's disintegrating mental state as he confronts his own limitations and battles alcoholism.
Agnes O'Case shines as Liz Gold, the earnest Communist idealist whose romance with Leamas forms the emotional heart of the story. O'Case brings depth and nuance to a character that could easily slip into caricature in less capable hands.
From Intimate Drama to Grand Espionage
While the production maintains its psychological focus for most of its runtime, the East Germany scenes see Gunnar Cauthery's murderous Mundt embracing more traditional villainy. The Berlin Wall climax ventures into more fantastical territory, but feels earned given the cleverness of le Carré's famous twist.
Notably, George Smiley - who would become le Carré's main protagonist in subsequent novels - appears here as a marginal figure, glimpsed from an upper balcony and glowing in golden light like an omniscient deity.
This is the first major stage adaptation of le Carré's work, and it's already set to embark on a national tour that will undoubtedly thrill the author's devoted fans. With such strong source material and this production's fleet-footed, subtle approach, future adaptations will have a high standard to meet.
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold continues its run at @sohoplace until 21 February 2026, offering London theatregoers a sophisticated alternative to traditional spy drama fare.
