John le Carre comes in from the cold to the stage

The stage premiere of John le Carre’s novel The Spy Who Came In From The Cold will embark on a 21-venue UK tour next year.

The novel has been a global bestseller for over six decades, and was named one of TIME magazine’s All-Time 100 Novels.

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold journeys 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 spymaster George Smiley presents one final mission - dangerous, deceptive and deeply personal - Leamas agrees. 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.

Adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge (Festen, End) this is the first novel by the master of the modern spy genre to be brought to life on stage. Following its 2024 sold-out premiere at the Chichester Festival Theatre, it will have a 14-week West End run ahead of the tour, which includes northern visits to Sheffield Lyceum (May 5-9); Liverpool Playhouse (May 12-16); York Grand Opera House (June 9-13); Newcastle Theatre Royal (July 7-11) and the Lowry in Salford (July 23-25).

David Eldridge said: “It's been a great privilege, adapting John le Carre's youthful masterpiece for the theatre, and it gives me great pleasure that after the West End run this autumn we’re able to share the play with audiences across the UK on tour.

"Though set in the murky world of cold war espionage thrillers, it’s a strikingly relevant story for our times - asking how one can retain one’ s humanity and morality if one must operate with the same impunity and brutality as the enemy, in order to win...”

Producer Jeremy Herrin said: “Rapt full houses in Chichester told us the novel translates meaningfully to the stage, so I'm delighted we are taking it to audiences around the UK next year."

More info from individual theatres - tickets on sale soon