The Comedy About Spies
A Comedy About Spies
Adelphi Theatre (Gala Performance)
Review Complete
“A side slitting, laugh out loud show.”
9th August 2026
Off to London Alison and I went on a secret mission. It was Mischief’s The Comedy About Spies Gala performance at the Adelphi Theatre. A brilliant show with perfect comedic timing — a slick, side-splitting Cold War caper that deserves every single one of these five stars. Packed with quick wit, brilliant physical comedy, and a plot that zips along at breakneck speed, this is pure theatrical joy from start to finish. An absolute triumph! Alison and I laughed until our ribs hurt. It was a masterclass in comedy.
Henry Lewis as Douglas Woodbead — delivers masterful deadpan timing; every raised eyebrow and pause lands perfectly.
Henry Shields as Bernard Wright — wonderfully bumbling and endearing; his frantic energy keeps the audience in stitches.Dave Hearn as Lance Buchanan — brilliantly pompous yet lovable; his physical comedy is a total highlight.
Nancy Zamit as Janet Buchanan — sparkling, sharp, and effortlessly funny; matches every beat with perfect flair.
Bryony Corrigan as Elena Popova — magnetic and razor-sharp; commands every scene with wonderful presence.
Adele James as Rosemary Wilson — warm, witty, and perfectly pitched; a delightful performance throughout.
Chris Leask as Sergei Ivanov — hilariously imposing yet absurd; brings wonderful depth to the role.
Greg Tannahill as Albert Tipton — utterly charming and wonderfully expressive; a standout comedic performance.
Ensemble & Understudies (Macadie Amoroso, Adam Byron, Matt Cavendish, Allie Dart, Niall Ransome, Ashley Tucker) — flawless support; seamless scene changes and boundless energy.
As for the Creative Team.
Written by Henry Lewis & Henry Shields — a script bursting with intelligence, invention, and laugh-out-loud brilliance.
Directed by Matt DiCarlo — perfectly paced, beautifully staged; the chaos is always under masterful control.Set & Costume Design — David Farley (sets) and Deborah Andrews (costumes) capture the era in stunning style; sleek, colourful, and endlessly inventive.
Lighting — Johanna Town — crisp, clever, and atmospheric; enhances every mood without missing a beat.
Sound & Compositions — Jon Fiber for Jollygoodtunes — perfectly underscores the action; music and effects add so much sparkle.
Movement — Shelley Maxwell — choreographed with comic precision; every dash, dive, and disguise is beautifully executed.
Casting — Lucy Jenkins & Sooki McShane — impeccable; chemistry across the whole company is simply wonderful.
Plus others – All working as frantically and in sync with those on the stage.
This was a gala performance, so it was a packed house. But by the standing ovation at the end it was a show of joy and great escapism for all who attended. But instead of resting, the cast and creatives had an after show party to attend, to celebrate with family friends and invited celebrities. Must of missed my invite.
A five-star triumph! The Comedy About Spies is clever, chaotic, and completely irresistible — a must-see at the Adelphi Theatre. Book your mission now. You will not regret it and the mission does turn out good every time. Has to be one of my favourite productions this year. I cannot prise it enough. Worth the trip to London to see this masterclass.
Reviewer: Mark Bilsby
Photography: Matt Crockett
We are Gifted tickets so that in return we may give an honest review. All comments are those of the reviewer and theirs alone.