Review! The Comedy About Spies Adelphi Theatre 2026

Yesterday, 1,500 theatre fans came together to laugh in unison for two hours — no easy feat by any measure. But that is exactly what Mischief Comedy achieved with The Comedy About Spies, which is celebrating its return to the West End. Best known for their hugely successful The Play That Goes Wrong, Mischief have once again delivered a riotous night of comedy, chaos and theatrical mishaps.

Written by Henry Lewis and Henry Shields, the play follows rival American and Russian spies as they race to recover the top-secret plans for Project Midnight. With much of the action unfolding inside the Piccadilly Hotel, the story throws together a hotel employee, a struggling actor, a banker and her somewhat goofy boyfriend — a recipe for absolute mayhem.

The story moves at a satisfying pace, with no scene ever feeling as though it overstays its welcome. There is constantly something happening, whether it’s another ridiculous situation, perfectly timed gag or unexpected twist, keeping the energy high from start to finish. At just two hours, the production strikes the perfect balance — delivering exactly the right amount of wonderfully silly chaos without ever becoming too much. The story is made even more satisfying by the fact that each character’s arc is neatly resolved by the end. Nothing feels unfinished, leaving no unanswered questions or loose ends for the audience to wonder about once the curtain falls.

The majority of the cast are returning to the production, including Dave Hearn, Adele James, Chris Leask and Henry Lewis, alongside several others. Joining the company for this run is Bryony Corrigan, who takes on the role of Elena Popov.

Every performer on stage can only be described as a standout. Each brought their own energy and comedic flair, with seemingly every cast member having their moment to send the audience into fits of laughter. That said, my personal highlights were Chris Leask and Henry Lewis, whose impeccable comedic timing and infectious energy made their scenes particularly memorable.

As well as the comedy, it is the set, designed by David Farley, that truly brings this production to life. The set and props move seamlessly from scene to scene, and with a large portion of Act One taking place across four different rooms, this dynamic staging is showcased beautifully alongside the production’s carefully orchestrated disasters.

The way each moment and theatrical trick has been constructed is nothing short of genius. There is one particular moment involving a dummy that I couldn’t possibly reveal without risking a major spoiler — but if you know, you know. And if you do know, I’m sure you were laughing just as much as I was!