The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

Tue 21 - Sat 25 Apr 2026

Venue: Festival Theatre

For the first time ever, a novel by John le Carré — the undisputed master of the modern spy genre whose works include Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Night Manager — is brought to life in a thrilling stage adaptation.

THE SPY NOVEL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING. NOW LIVE ON STAGE.

Based on the worldwide bestseller and named in TIME Magazine’s All-Time Greatest 100 Novels, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is a riveting journey through the fog-shrouded terrain of Cold War espionage, deception, and moral compromise.  

Disillusioned British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is ready to come in from the cold — until veteran agent George Smiley persuades him to take one final mission against the East German Secret Service. Deep undercover, he finds his convictions tested and his defences breached by Liz Gold, a quietly defiant librarian whose compassion threatens to thaw his frostbitten heart.

Following a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre and a hit West End premiere, this gripping new play written by David Eldridge (Beginning, Middle) and directed by Jeremy Herrin (A Mirror, People, Places & Things) comes to Edinburgh for one week only. 

Slick and stylish
The i
★ ★ ★ ★

A tense, gripping adaptation with moody flair
Financial Times
★ ★ ★ ★

A tense, atmospheric production
Daily Mail
★ ★ ★ ★

A man in a trench coat stands in dramatic blue lighting, holding a small radio to his mouth with a serious expression—like a scene straight from a John le Carré spy novel.

Two men in suits stand on a stage with a large map on the floor, evoking a tense scene from a John le Carré spy novel; one smokes while the other looks on. Audience seating and a person are visible in the background.

Three men in suits engage in a tense conversation in a dimly lit room—an atmosphere reminiscent of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold—one sits at a desk, another stands, while the third observes silently from a balcony above.

An older man in a suit and glasses stands with arms crossed under dim lighting, evoking the atmosphere of a John le Carré spy novel, with a green hanging lamp in the foreground and light rays streaming down.

A woman in a green jacket stands behind a podium, gripping the sides and speaking into a vintage microphone, evoking the tense atmosphere of a John le Carré spy novel.

A man in a suit sits alone on a chair against a wall with circular perforations, casting a shadow under moody lighting—a scene reminiscent of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.

Discounts

Friends 20% off (excl. Fri & Sat) – Read more about the Friends discount

Concessions £3 off. (excl. Fri & Sat)

Accessibility information

Audio described performance Sat 25 April, 2.30pm
Touch tours Begins 90 minutes before the Audio Described performance listed above.
British Sign Language performance Sat 25 April, 2.30pm
Captioned performance Thu 23 April, 7.30pm