This is London Magazine July Edition 2026 - Flipbook - Page 12
12
THE ORIGINAL WEST END CAST
RETURN TO COMEDY ABOUT SPIES
This summer the temperature is high,
and so are the stakes, as the original
West End cast return to The Comedy
About Spies at London’s Adelphi Theatre
from 1 August for 8 weeks only. They are
joined by original Mischief member
Bryony Corrigan as Elena Popova.
The Comedy About Spies recently
won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best
New Play and was nominated for an
Olivier Award for Best New
Entertainment or Comedy Play following
the hit’s critically acclaimed sold-out
21-week West End run in 2025.
Mischief’s The Comedy About Spies is
written by original Mischief members
Henry Lewis and Henry Shields and
directed by Matt DiCarlo.
Henry Lewis said: ‘We are so excited
to bring The Comedy About Spies back
to the West End. It’s a particular treat to
be playing the magnificent Adelphi
Theatre. 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.’
When a rogue British agent pilfers
plans for a top-secret weapon, CIA and
KGB spies converge on London’s
Piccadilly Hotel in pursuit of the elusive
file. Add to the mix a clueless young
couple, a hapless actor angling for the
role of James Bond, and enough double
agents to confuse even the sharpest
operative, and you've got a mission
that’s hilariously out of control.
With over 12 impressive years of
bringing laughter to the West End,
Mischief show no sign of slowing down
in 2026. This year, as well as having The
Play That Goes Wrong and The Comedy
About Spies running simultaneously in
the West End, Mischief have just
premiered their first-ever musical,
Thespians at The Mercury Theatre in
Colchester.
The Play That Goes Wrong continues
to perform to sell-out audiences in the
West End after 12 smash-hit years, is
also celebrating 9 years in New York in
April, and is being performed in multiple
languages worldwide every day in 2026.
Last year the production was the most
watched show at the Sydney Opera
House, Australia, celebrated its 4001st
performance in May 2026 at the
Duchess Theatre, London, and Henry
Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry
Shields were listed in the top 10 most
produced playwrights across North
America and Canada.
The Comedy About Spies is
presented by Kenny Wax and Stage
Presence in association with Jo Danvers.
For tickets to both productions and
further information on Mischief
productions, visit the website at
www.mischief.co.uk
THE STEAM DREAMS RAIL
SUMMER TRIPS
Steam Dreams Rail Co. is offering a
steam-hauled dining experience this
summer, with The Spirit of Summer
Lunch and The Sunset Steam Express
departing from London Paddington on
20 August. The circular journey is
hauled by the iconic 70000 Britannia
locomotive, combining heritage rail
travel with seasonal dining and
picturesque countryside.
Designed to celebrate the pleasure of
travelling together, the experience feature
beautifully restored vintage carriages,
attentive service and shared tables that
create a relaxed, sociable atmosphere for
groups, couples and solo travellers
alike.
The Spirit of Summer Lunch departs
at 10:15, travelling through the Thames
Valley towards Oxford before returning
via the Chiltern Hills. Guests can choose
between First Class, which includes a
welcome drink and complimentary tea
and coffee, or Pullman Dining, where
Champagne, canapés, a three-course
seasonal lunch, wine, coffee and petit
fours are served with traditional silverservice hospitality.
Departing at 18:00, The Sunset Steam
Express showcases the Chiltern Hills in
the golden light of a summer evening.
First Class includes a welcome drink
and refreshments, while Pullman Dining
features Champagne on arrival followed
by a three-course dinner with wine and
coffee.
T H I S I S L O N D O N M A G A Z I N E • T H I S I S L O N D O N O N L I N E • w w w. t i l . c o m • @ t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g
