The Spy that Came in from the Cold: In Conversation
THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
A Cold War classic reborn for the stage — with Gráinne Dromgoole on love, loyalty and living inside a political thriller
About the Production
John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came In From The Cold — the novel that reshaped the modern spy genre — arrives at the Wales Millennium Centre from 28 April to 2 May 2026 for a strictly limited one‑week run.
This new stage adaptation, written by David Eldridge (Beginning, Middle, End) and directed by Jeremy Herrin (People, Places & Things), transfers to Cardiff following a sold‑out run at Chichester Festival Theatre and a West End season.
Starring Ralf Little (The Royle Family, Death in Paradise) as Alec Leamas, the story plunges audiences into the fog‑laden world of Cold War espionage: double agents, moral compromise, and the human cost of political gamesmanship.
Leamas, exhausted and ready to “come in from the cold,” is pulled into one final mission — a dangerous descent into East Germany that demands he dismantle his own life to sell a lie. But the plan is complicated by Liz Gold, a young librarian whose compassion and conviction threaten to unravel everything.
Liz is played by Gráinne Dromgoole, whose performance anchors the emotional heart of the production. Ahead of the Cardiff run, she spoke with us about Cold War politics, character-building, and the thrill of performing one of fiction’s most iconic courtroom scenes.
Interview with Gráinne Dromgoole
(Edited for clarity and flow - Listen to the Full Conversation Below)
You’re arriving in Cardiff on Monday — have you spent much time here before? I’ve been to Cardiff a couple of times on tour, actually. We didn’t perform at the Millennium Centre then — it was the New Theatre. I absolutely loved it there; it’s such a gorgeous building. But I’m really excited for the Millennium Centre. It’s completely different — a modern space, a bigger stage, a whole new energy.
For anyone unfamiliar with the story, how would you describe the production and your role? The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is adapted from John le Carré’s novel from the 1960s. It’s set during the Cold War and follows Alec Leamas, a spy who wants to give it all up. He’s asked to do one final job, which involves pretending his life is falling apart — including taking a job in a library, where he meets Liz Gold, the character I play.
Liz is this inspiring, ardent young Jewish communist woman. She and Leamas fall in love, which becomes a huge spanner in the works of MI6’s plan. From that moment on, everything becomes more complicated — politically, emotionally, morally. She’s an innocent person who gets caught in the crosshairs of something ruthless.
The story is deeply political. Do you keep it rooted in the 1960s, or do modern parallels creep in? The production is very much set in the sixties — that’s the world we’re honouring. But through that specificity, you can’t help but see similarities with today. The play is quite pessimistic about power and how civilians’ lives can be disregarded. Sadly, that’s always relevant.
Do you have a favourite moment in the show? There are so many. There are brilliant action sequences — great stunt work and fights — which I’m not in, but I love watching. And there’s a scene set at a tribunal in East Germany that I think is one of fiction’s great scenes. It’s heated, fast, cruel, clever — a real thrill to perform.
The Millennium Centre is hosting Priscilla, Queen of the Desert right now — a very different world! How do you shift between such contrasting tones as an actor? It’s a long run, and what’s beautiful is that there’s always more to discover. Every character is a whole human being. It’s like making a new friend — you think you know them, and then they surprise you. David Eldridge’s script is so well written that you can keep digging deeper into who these people are and how they move through the world.
Did you draw from the book or the film when building Liz? We all read the book, and it was very present in the first week of rehearsals. It was incredibly useful. But ultimately, you build the character from the script and the world the creative team is shaping.
You’re six weeks into a long tour. How do you look after yourself on the road? It’s been hard to establish a routine because every week has thrown something new at us — eight shows in five days, understudies stepping in, surprises everywhere. But I try to wake up, do something healthy, get some light. Sunshine is the best.
Cardiff will definitely give you sunshine — and water, if you fancy a swim. Can you swim in Cardiff Bay?
I wouldn’t! But the Cardiff International Pool is a short walk away, and we’ve got beautiful beaches nearby — Penarth, Barry… Amazing. I’ll take your word for it about the Bay, but it is lovely to look at.
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
Wales Millennium Centre — Donald Gordon Theatre
28 April – 2 May 2026 Tickets from £17
A gripping, stylish Cold War thriller brought to life by an exceptional cast and creative team. Age guidance: 12+ (no under 2s). Contains strong language, anti‑Semitism reflective of the period, and depictions of violence including torture and gunshots. Running time: approx. 2 hours 10 minutes (incl. interval).
🎟 Tickets & full details: Available via the Wales Millennium Centre website.