The Comedy About Spies to return to the West End

The Comedy About Spies will return to the West End this summer following its win for Best New Play at the WhatsOnStage Awards.

The announcement was made during the ceremony at The London Palladium by co-writer Henry Lewis and producer Kenny Wax while accepting the award.

The production, created by theatre company Mischief, will run at the Adelphi Theatre for eight weeks from 1 August to 26 September 2026. The play previously had a 21-week run in the West End in 2025. It has also been nominated for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play at the Olivier Awards.

The comedy follows a rogue British agent who steals plans for a top-secret weapon, prompting CIA and KGB spies to converge on London’s Piccadilly Hotel in search of the file. A young couple, an actor hoping to play James Bond and a number of double agents become caught up in the situation.

The show is written by Lewis and Henry Shields, and directed by Matt DiCarlo. The executive producer is Jonathan Sayer. The creative team includes set designer David Farley, costume designer Deborah Andrews, movement director Shelley Maxwell, lighting designer Johanna Town and sound designer and composer Jon Fiber for Jollygoodtunes. Casting is to be announced.

Lewis said he was “absolutely thrilled that The Comedy About Spies is returning to the West End this year,” adding that the Adelphi is “such an incredible venue and we can’t wait to make audiences laugh there this summer.”

Priority tickets will be available for 72 hours from 10am on 13 March 2026 for those who sign up via the production website. More than 4,500 reduced-price tickets will be released with prices ranging from £19.50 to £49.50. General booking opens at midday on 16 March 2026.

Mischief will also have The Play That Goes Wrong running in the West End during 2026 and will launch its first musical, Thespians, with a run at the Mercury Theatre from May followed by a short tour ending at HOME in July. The musical has a book and lyrics by Sayer with music and lyrics by Ed Zanders and will be directed by Robyn Grant.

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is scheduled to return for the festive season following a UK tour and a West End run last year, with further details to be announced.

The Play That Goes Wrong continues its run in the West End at the Duchess Theatre and will mark nine years in New York in April. The production passed its 4,000th performance in London in May 2025 and continues to be staged internationally in multiple languages.

The Comedy About Spies is presented by Kenny Wax and Stage Presence in association with Jo Danvers.