I was given the most wonderful birthday present by my daughter, it was a ticket to go and see the dramatisation of a book by my favourite author. The book is “The Spy Who Came In From The Cold” by John le Carré, and the excellent dramatisation was in the beautiful Donald Gordon Theatre in Cardiff. I’ve read the book a couple of times, but that was many years ago, but now I’m going to re-read it after thoroughly enjoying the play last night.
I first came to properly read le Carré after the BBC TV production of ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ with a classic cast. I wonder how many times I’ve read the books since, it wouldn’t be exaggerating to say a dozen times. I think I may have read ‘The Spy Who Came In From The Cold‘ after reading TTSS – but have I seen the film starring Richard Burton? I think I may have done, but I don’t think I enjoyed it. I certainly very much enjoyed the play I saw last night, and if you have the chance to see it, really you should!
British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is weary, hardened, and ready to come in from the cold. But when Control, the Chief of the Circus, 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. And what of veteran spymaster George Smiley? What is his role in the operation?
Following a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre and direct from the West End, this gripping new play written by David Eldridge (Beginning, Middle, End) and directed by Jeremy Herrin (Grace Pervades, People, Places & Things)
I don’t want to say too much about it so as not to spoil it if you go because there are lots of surprises and unexpected things which happen in this production. The staging is so clever, the acting is extraordinary, there are many unexpected moments – you’ll be holding your breath when the bucket comes on stage, literally!! I mentioned that I’ve read the book, well, I shall start reading it again tonight, as you might expect from my enthusiastic comments.
Lois Elsden 