Radar: John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came In From The Cold

Fans of classic espionage thrillers, take note. The first-ever stage adaptation of John le Carré’s seminal novel, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, is set to play at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre from 21st to 25th April 2026.

The production brings the undisputed master of the modern spy genre to the stage in a new adaptation by the award-winning playwright David Eldridge (Festen). A global bestseller for over six decades, the story follows weary British intelligence officer Alec Leamas, who is ready to come in from the cold. When spymaster George Smiley offers him one final, dangerous mission, Leamas is dispatched into enemy territory, where his convictions are tested and his defences breached by a quietly defiant librarian whose compassion threatens his frostbitten heart.

This critically acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre production is directed by Jeremy Herrin (People, Places and Things, Wolf Hall). It arrives in Edinburgh as part of an extensive 21-venue UK tour, following a sold-out premiere and a 14-week run in London’s West End.

Adapter David Eldridge describes it as “a strikingly relevant story for our times,” which asks, “how one can retain one’s humanity and morality if one must operate with the same impunity and brutality as your enemy to defeat him?”

Details

• What: John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
• Where: Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13-29 Nicolson St, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT
• When: 21st – 25th April 2026
• Tickets: On Sale Soon at spyonstage.com/tour