John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in From The Cold comes to Milton Keynes Theatre this July

The Ink Factory and Second Half Productions have announced an extensive UK-wide tour of the Chichester Festival Theatre production of John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, which will open at Leicester Curve on 12 March 2026, and continue through to August 2026. This includes performances at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 14 – Sat 18 Jul 2026, for which tickets will be available on ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes.

placeholder image — The Spy Who Came in from The Cold | Milton Keynes Theatre

Adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge (Festen, End), this is the first novel by le Carré - the undisputed master of the modern spy genre, whose works include Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Night Manager - to be brought to life on stage. Jeremy Herrin will direct following his recent acclaimed productions of Grace Pervades, People, Places and Things and Long Day’s Journey into Night. Casting for the touring production is to be announced.

Lead casting for the extensive UK-wide tour of John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. Ralf Little (Death in Paradise, God of Carnage, The Royle Family) will play disillusioned British intelligence officer Alec Leamas.

Credit: Johan Persson | ©JOHAN PERSSON, for press and publicity while production is being performed. All other usages must be agreed with Johan Persson

British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is weary, hardened, and ready to come in from the cold. But when spymaster George Smiley 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.
A global bestseller for over six decades and named one of TIME Magazine’s All-Time 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.

Performances run at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 14 – Sat 18 Jul 2026. Tickets are available for ATG+ members now, with the general onsale opening at 10am on Thu 16 Oct. For further information and to book tickets, visit ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes.