A Covert Affair is proof that simple isn’t always terrible.
Set during the Cold War, A Covert Affair follows two spies who go from collaborators to lovers, willing to sacrifice everything to stay together. Joe Mihranian stars as an agent of Her Majesty’s Secret Service, while Ella Sheree plays his KGB counterpart, referred to as “Comrade”. The story is relatively simple and, at times, predictable for anyone vaguely familiar with spy dramas. The set design follows suit, relying heavily on the audience’s imagination to create a sense of immersion. However, the production makes up for the lack of complexity in both its set and story with impressive acting and meticulous attention to detail, creating an intimacy that makes it feel as though we are getting a glimpse into the couple’s lives.
Joe plays his character as an anxious and inexperienced agent to a T, with his extended moments of bumbling feeling completely natural. Ella, meanwhile, brings a coldness and directness to her KGB agent, shutting down Joe’s attempts at small talk with icy precision. This is all delivered while maintaining a convincing Russian accent throughout the entirety of the play, an impressive feat. The contrast between their characters and ideologies could hardly be starker. However, as the story progresses and the pair begin to fall for each other, we see them gradually adopt one another’s quirks, from repeating each other’s catchphrases to Ella becoming more sarcastic and Joe more direct.
At the climax, both characters engage in heated debates with their respective handlers, reluctantly admitting the depth of their love for one another and the sacrifices they are willing to make for it. The handlers, played by Alex MacFarlane and Eva Riemens, shine in their roles, adopting a stern approach and forcing the agents to confront the incompatibility of their relationship with their espionage careers.
Ultimately, A Covert Affair proves that a complex set and a story containing more twists than a strawberry lace aren’t the only ways to create a compelling play. Strong characterisation and convincing performances can be more than enough to make a production stand out.
A Covert Affair ran until 9 August 2026 at Hope Street Theatre in Liverpool.