The Ink Factory and Second Half Productions have announced a major UK tour of the Chichester Festival Theatre’s acclaimed production of The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, adapted from John le Carré’s iconic Cold War thriller. The tour opens at Leicester Curve on 12 March 2026 and will run through to August, visiting 21 venues nationwide. Tickets will be available soon via spyonstage.com/tour.
This marks the first time le Carré’s debut novel has been adapted for the stage. David Eldridge, known for Festen and End, brings the espionage tale to life under the direction of Jeremy Herrin, whose recent credits include People, Places and Things and Long Day’s Journey into Night. Casting for the tour is yet to be revealed.
Following a sold-out premiere in Chichester in 2024, the production will enjoy a 14-week West End run at @sohoplace from 17 November 2025 to 21 February 2026 before heading out across the country.
Set in the shadowy world of Cold War intelligence, the story follows Alec Leamas, a weary British spy drawn into one final mission that tests his loyalty, morality, and heart. The stage adaptation promises a gripping exploration of betrayal, compassion, and the cost of truth.
The creative team includes Max Jones (design), Azusa Ono (lighting), Elizabeth Purnell (sound), Paul Englishby (composition), and Lucy Cullingford (movement). General management is by Second Half Productions, with Melting Pot serving as Executive Producer for the tour.
Eldridge describes the play as “strikingly relevant,” while Herrin calls it “a shattering and thrilling ride.” Simon Cornwell of The Ink Factory adds that the adaptation offers “a palpable tension” and a fresh way to experience le Carré’s work live.
Audiences from Brighton to Glasgow will have the chance to see this powerful production, which continues to resonate more than sixty years after the novel’s release.
