Mischief have released a set of new rehearsal photographs for The Comedy About Spies, the first proper look at the company back in the room ahead of the show's West End return. The award-winning farce reopens at the Adelphi Theatre on 1 August for eight weeks only, to 26 September 2026, and the pictures, shot by Danny Kaan, catch the cast mid-caper: newspapers brandished, doors held, bodies flung across the studio floor.
A return, and a first for the Adelphi
This is a homecoming with a footnote. When it opens on 1 August, The Comedy About Spies will be the first play staged at the Adelphi Theatre in over 14 years, in a house better known for long-running musicals. "It's a particular treat to be playing the magnificent Adelphi," said co-writer Henry Lewis. "It's a venue synonymous with long running musicals and so we're honoured that The Comedy About Spies will be the first play presented there in over 14 years." The run lasts eight weeks and 66 performances, no longer, before the file goes cold on 26 September.
In rehearsal for The Comedy About Spies. Photo by Danny Kaan.
Over 2,000 tickets at £25
To mark the on-sale, the producers have released more than 2,000 stalls tickets at £25, described in the show's own words as "the highly suspicious price of just £25". It is billed as a short window rather than a standing price, so it is worth moving quickly if that is the number you want. Across August our live calendar has most performances from £25, with a handful of premium dates a little higher, and September midweek dates dip lower still. You can check dates and prices and book on tickadoo, where tickadoo+ members save across bookings.
A gala, and access performances
There is a gala performance on Sunday 9 August at 4pm. The run also carries a full set of access performances: a signed performance on 6 September at 2.30pm, a captioned performance on 18 September at 7.30pm, and an audio-described performance on 20 September at 2.30pm.
Physical comedy in the rehearsal room. Photo by Danny Kaan.
Who's in it
Almost the entire original company returns. The principal cast is Bryony Corrigan as Elena Popova, Dave Hearn as Lance Buchanan, Adele James as Rosemary Wilson, Chris Leask as Sergei Ivanov, Henry Lewis as Douglas Woodbead, Henry Shields as Bernard Wright, Greg Tannahill as Albert Tipton and Nancy Zamit as Janet Buchanan. They are joined by an ensemble and understudy company of Macadie Amoroso, Adam Byron, Matt Cavendish, Allie Dart, Niall Ransome and Ashley Tucker. Casting can change across a run, so check the latest line-up when you book.
The team behind it
The Comedy About Spies is written by original Mischief members Henry Lewis and Henry Shields and directed by Matt DiCarlo, with set design by David Farley, costume design by Deborah Andrews, movement direction by Shelley Maxwell, lighting by Johanna Town and sound design and composition by Jon Fiber for JollyGoodTunes. Jonathan Sayer is executive producer. It comes from the team behind The Play That Goes Wrong, now in its twelfth year at the Duchess, and won Best New Play at the 2026 WhatsOnStage Awards, following an Olivier nomination and a sold-out 21-week premiere season in 2025.
The company in rehearsal. Photo by Danny Kaan.
The premise
It is London at the coldest edge of the Cold War. A rogue British agent has pilfered the plans for a top-secret weapon, and CIA and KGB spies converge on the Piccadilly Hotel in pursuit of the elusive file. Add a clueless young couple, a hapless actor angling for the role of a certain cinematic secret agent, and enough double agents to confuse even the sharpest operative, and you have a mission that is hilariously out of control. The Adelphi Theatre sits on the Strand, a short walk from Charing Cross and Covent Garden.
For the full rundown on the show, the cast and how to choose your dates, see our complete guide to The Comedy About Spies.
Built by the founders of London Theatre Direct, with 25 years of expertise in theatre ticketing. The tickadoo editorial team covers West End and Broadway shows, attractions, tours and experiences across 700+ cities.
About the team
