Blistering intterrogation of Le Carre's Cold War classic

'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' transfers well to the stage in this engrossing production

- Alice Saville

Fans of spy shenanigans and Cold War political machinations will be instantly swept up in this lean, pacy adaptation of John le Carre’s classic novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.

After a premiere in Chichester, writer David Eldridge and director Jeremy Herrin have reworked their play for this engrossing in-the-round production at London's intimate @sohoplace.

The setting here is suggested with a minimum of fuss a map of postwar Europe printed on the floor, some rumpled camel coats, and interludes of mysterious jazz trumpet. It's all that's needed, because Eldridge's highly efficient adaptation plunges us straight into the heart of the story.