Le Carré's Masterpiece Finally Comes to the Stage
After decades of resistance from author John le Carré, his groundbreaking espionage novel The Spy Who Came in from the Cold has finally received a stage adaptation. The production, which earned enthusiastic reviews during its Chichester run, has now transferred to London's West End at the @sohoplace theatre in Soho.
The late author's estate gave their blessing to this adaptation, which appears to have been well-placed trust. Under the skilled direction of Jeremy Herrin and with David Eldridge's thoughtful script, this production delivers a compelling and atmospheric interpretation of the Cold War classic that maintains its tense, brutal edge while making effective use of theatrical conventions.
A Masterclass in Noir Atmosphere
Rory Keenan delivers a magnificent performance as Alec Leamas, the jaded British spy at the story's centre. Though some might initially find his natural Dublin accent slightly disconcerting, the strength of his characterisation quickly makes this irrelevant. Keenan perfectly captures Leamas's world-weariness and deepening disillusionment as he's pulled back into one final, dangerous mission.
The production leans heavily into noir aesthetics, with Max Jones's claustrophobic, in-the-round set illuminated by searchlights that seem to mirror Leamas's troubled mental state. The staging cleverly allows audiences to experience events both from external perspectives and from within Leamas's own consciousness, including imagined conversations with spymaster George Smiley, played with effective restraint by John Ramm.
Complex Characters and Minor Quibbles
Where the adaptation truly excels is in its exploration of Leamas's psychological deterioration. As he pretends to hit rock bottom to ensnare his East German targets, Keenan superbly conveys that the character is genuinely unraveling. The drinking problem isn't entirely an act, and his disillusionment with the spy game feels painfully real.
The production's one weaker element proves to be the romantic subplot between Leamas and Liz Gold, played by Agnes O'Casey. While O'Casey delivers a strong performance as the idealistic young librarian, the age gap and rapid connection between the characters feels somewhat under-examined through a contemporary lens. This minor issue doesn't significantly undermine what remains a thoroughly gripping piece of theatre.
Ultimately, this adaptation makes a powerful case for the enduring relevance of le Carré's 62-year-old novel. The shocking final twists retain their jaw-dropping impact, and Keenan's study in disillusionment feels remarkably current. This is sophisticated, adult theatre that respects its source material while creating something distinctly theatrical.
Performance Details
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold runs at @sohoplace, 4 Soho Place, London W1D 3BG until February 28, 2026. Performances continue through December with tickets priced between £25 and £95. The runtime is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. For booking and additional information, visit spyonstage.com.
