‘The Spy Who Came in from the Cold’ – Churchill Theatre, Bromley 24.03.2026

Last night I was back at the Churchill for my first play of the year. Not knowing what to expect, you could say I was coming in cold…

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, based on John le Carré’s novel, follows Alec Leamas, a British intelligence officer who, after watching his agents fall in Berlin, is sent on one final mission: to fake his defection and frame a high‑ranking East German officer. As he plays the role of a broken, washed‑up spy, he grows close to Liz Gold, a librarian whose warmth and innocence deepen the emotional stakes. But as the mission unfolds, Leamas discovers that he, and everyone around him is being manipulated. What begins as a strategic operation becomes a trap, forcing him to question everything he has sacrificed.

From the moment the play began, you really had to focus. The opening scenes are dense with information, laying the groundwork for everything that follows. At times it was hard to keep up, but once Leamas (played by Ralf Little) embarked on his mission, the plot began to flow and fully drew me in. The tension built steadily, the stakes rose with each twist, and although I had to stay attentive to every detail, it was worth it to appreciate the story being told. The ensemble cast provided a strong backbone, with even the smallest roles helping to maintain the suspense. There were a few moments where the pacing dipped, but overall it was a beautifully crafted production, and once the narrative found its rhythm, the cast carried it with real conviction.

One of the main reasons I was drawn to this play was Ralf Little. I’ve only ever known him from his comedic role in Two Pints of Lager, so I was curious to see him on stage in something so different. He completely surprised me. His performance was nuanced, layered, and far more emotionally complex than I expected. Beneath the hardened exterior of a seasoned spy, he revealed flashes of vulnerability—especially in his scenes with Liz. You could feel his character’s longing for normality, even as he remained tethered to the shadows of his past.

While Ralf delivered a compelling emotional range, I didn’t feel quite the same depth from Grainne Dromgoole as Liz Gold. She brought a gentle innocence to the role, which worked well for the character, especially as Liz becomes entangled in the manipulation around her. I just would have liked to see a little more chemistry and desire from her side of the relationship.

This is not a glamorous spy thriller; it’s a bleak, gripping exploration of the moral compromises of intelligence work. Anyone who loves that era, or enjoys complex, slow‑burn espionage stories, will find this production intriguing. Honestly, if Ralf Little’s name hadn’t been attached, I might not have known about this play at all, but I’m so glad I went. It opened my eyes to a production I might otherwise have missed.

Playing at the Churchill until Saturday 28th March, for all ticket information go here. It will then continue on its UK tour, for all ticket information go here,