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The Spy Who Came in From Cold

Tue 23 Jun 2026 to Sat 27 Jun 2026
Tue 23 Jun 2026
to
Sat 27 Jun 2026

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

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.

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.

British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is weary, hardened, and ready to come in from the cold. But when Control, the Chief of the Circus, presents one final mission — dangerous, deceptive, and deeply personal — Leamas agrees to stay in the game. 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. And what of veteran spymaster George Smiley? What is his role in the operation?

Following a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre and direct from the West End, this gripping new play written by David Eldridge (Beginning, Middle) and directed by Jeremy Herrin (A Mirror, People, Places & Things) comes to the Theatre Royal Nottingham for 1 week only.

Part of

Age Guidance: 12+

Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+

Running time: 2 hours 10 mins including an interval. Doors open 1 hour before each performance

Show warnings: This production contains strong and derogatory language prevalent in the period, including antisemitism, and depictions of violence including torture and gunshots

Save Money

Members
All tickets £40 for Tue 7.30pm performance (excluding Balcony) and save £5 in the Stalls and Upper Circle for Wed -Thu 7.30pm & Thu 2pm performances.

Under 26s
Save £5 in the Stalls and Upper Circle for Tue to Thu 7.30pm & Thu 2pm performances. To purchase these tickets you must be 26 or under at the time of booking. You may be asked to show your ID on doors to confirm your age.

Groups 10+
Save £5 in the Stalls and Upper Circle for Tue to Thu 7.30pm & Thu 2pm performances on bookings of 10 or more tickets with 1 free ticket for every 20 seats booked. Please email group.sales@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or call 0115 989 5555 to book.


No concessions in the Balcony or for Friday 7.30pm & Saturday 2.30pm & 7.30pm performances.

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A person sits on a chair with their shadow projecting on the background. Zoom in A person stands cross armed looking at a green lampshade. Zoom in A person stands on a walkway lit by a spotlight. Zoom in A person in a green suit stands on a platform. Zoom in A person sits on a chair with their shadow projecting on the background. Zoom in A person stands cross armed looking at a green lampshade. Zoom in A person stands on a walkway lit by a spotlight. Zoom in A person in a green suit stands on a platform. Zoom in
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'This slick and stylish production is meticulously mounted by Jeremy Herrin'
★★★★
The i
'A tense, gripping adaptation with moody flair’
★★★★
Financial Times
'A tense, atmospheric production’
★★★★
Daily Mail
'A classy stage adaptation [with] all the moodiness - and the complexity - of Le Carré'
The i
'This first staging of a le Carré classic is a hot ticket'
The Guardian
One of the 10 Best Plays of 2024
Fiona Mountford - The i

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