THE COMEDY ABOUT SPIES
Adelphi Theatre
★★★★
“a commanding, tightly meshed performance of real complexity”
‘The Comedy About Spies’ makes a triumphant return to the West End after its sold out Noël Coward run, armed with a WhatsOnStage Award and an Olivier nomination. This anticipated Adelphi run starts with a bang, and with original Mischief makers back in action, you’re in for a treat this summer.
London, 1961. MI6 has a mole. British, American and Russian agents descend upon the Picadilly Hotel to intercept a secret hand off and reclaim stolen plans for a deadly British weapon. But with mistaken identities, crossed wires and changing alliances at every turn, the mission is seconds from blowing up – come watch it to find out if they succeed!
Founding Mischief makers Henry Lewis and Henry Shields have outdone themselves, delivering a tight, punchy show absolutely packed with gags. The knowingly vague title – classic Mischief – signals exactly what this caper is: a tongue in cheek pastiche of the spy genre, with clever references and gloriously farcical British humour. Yet it feels fresh, revamping its cheeky ‘Fawlty Towers’ flavour for modern tastes, and cramming every conceivable comic style into a masterclass of silliness with apparent ‘ease’ (you had to be there). Most impressively, not a moment is wasted, with multiple seemingly throwaway lines returning with satisfying precision. My only slight critique is the balance between halves – Act 1 is so dizzyingly dense with jokes that Act 2’s more dramatic tone lands like they’ve eased up a touch. And despite waiting twenty minutes for the bag switch pay off, it ends with a well-deserved bang – overall, it’s expert, tightly crafted writing that deserves applause.
Matt DiCarlo’s direction and Shelley Maxwell’s movement direction pulls off this complex production with aplomb. It’s punchy, slick and full of razor-sharp timing. The pacing is spot on, knowing exactly when to crank the tension or up the ante in repetition driven set pieces. From physical gags, props, set changes, James Bond references and even a submarine, this show has it all. Though a play of this ilk isn’t aiming for emotional depth, a couple of characters do feel a touch one note – a hint more light and shade wouldn’t go amiss. Still, it’s direction with military precision – sharp, confident, and shaped for maximum comic impact.
Jon Fiber for JollyGoodTunes’ compositions cleverly distil 1960s spy movies, even sneaking in musical gags like Bernard’s walking bass. The sound design is sharp, packed with expertly timed effects and a crystal clear mix. David Farley’s set design smartly scales the sweep of a spy saga for the stage, jumping between locations with impressive speed thanks to the slick stage crew. Deborah Andrews’ costumes deftly balance Cold War austerity and flamboyant 1960s flair, splashed with bold primaries a playful Wes Anderson wink. Johanna Town’s lighting is gorgeous, blending narrative precision with lush ambient washes. The WHAM team distil the 1960s into wigs, hair and makeup with real finesse.
With so many original Mischief members returning, the show is in expert hands. Its tight ensemble work really shines: Bryony Corrigan, David Hearn, Adele James, Chris Leask, Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, Greg Tannahill and Nancy Zamit deliver a commanding, tightly meshed performance of real complexity, demonstrating expert comedy chops and filling the stage with their presence. A little more light and shade in a couple of characterisations would sweeten the mix – but then farce isn’t famous for emotional depth.
Make ‘The Comedy About Spies’ your top priority this summer. This gloriously British romp will have you laughing so hard you’ll blow your cover.
THE COMEDY ABOUT SPIES
Adelphi Theatre
Reviewed on 9th August 2026
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Helen Maybanks
