John le Carré spy play coming to Norwich Theatre Royal.

A best-selling novel adapted for the stage is coming to Norwich.

The Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in From the Cold will debut at the Leicester Curve on March 12, 2026.

The play will then be performed at Norwich Theatre Royal from June 16 to 20; casting for the touring production will be announced shortly.

This is the first stage adaptation of le Carré’s novel Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and The Night Manager.

British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is ready to come in from the cold(Image: Johan Persson)

Following its sold-out debut at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2024, the play will make its West End debut at Soho Place, where it will run for 14 weeks from November 2025 to February 2026, before touring in March.

The play follows Alec Leamas, a British intelligence man who is tired, hardened, and eager to come in from the cold. But when spymaster George Smiley offers Leamas one last job, he agrees to continue in the game.

When sent into enemy territory, he finds his convictions tested and his defences shattered by Liz Gold, a quietly assertive librarian whose compassion threatens to soften his frostbitten heart.

Spymaster George Smiley sends Leamas on a final mission. (Image: Johan Persson)

The Spy Who Came In From the Cold has been a global bestseller for almost six decades and was designated one of TIME Magazine’s All-Time 100 Novels. Jeremy Herrin, the director, responded:

“Rapt full houses in Chichester told us that John le Carré’s hit novel translates meaningfully to the stage and so I am delighted that we are bringing The Spy Who Came In From The Cold to audiences around the UK next year.”

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