Trainspotting the Musical Tickets

Trainspotting the Musical in London

Trainspotting the Musical makes its world premiere this July at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, just a short walk from Piccadilly Circus. This brand new musical adapts Irvine Welsh’s novel, about a group of friends struggling with addiction in 1990s Edinburgh. The musical has a book by Welsh himself, and features original songs co-written by Welsh and dance legend Steve Mac, along with iconic tracks from the 1996 hit film adaptation, which starred Ewan McGregor. Trainspotting comes to London for a strictly limited run this summer - so choose life, choose tickets, and book today.

What Is the Musical Trainspotting About?

Leith, Edinburgh, in the 1990s: cynical Renton and his friends Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, Tommy, and Kelly are trying to choose life - but life doesn't seem to want to choose them. Struggling with heroin addiction and economic deprivation, the gang faces the trials and tribulations of getting clean, love, sex and relationships, and earning some cash, as they try to find their place in a society that has pegged them as outcasts.

Darkly funny, life-affirming, and deeply nostalgic, this genre-defying musical is Trainspotting as you’ve never seen it before, featuring your favourite tunes from the film alongside brand-new songs.

The History of Trainspotting the Musical

Trainspotting the Musical is based on the book, and its film adaptation, of the same name. Published in 1993, Trainspotting was the debut novel by Scottish author Irvine Welsh, written in Scots and Scottish English. Trainspotting quickly became a cult hit and was shortlisted for the 1993 Booker Prize. Three sequel novels and a prequel have also been released.

A film adaptation was made in 1996, directed by Danny Boyle, which starred Ewan McGregor, Johnny Lee Miller and Robert Carlise. The film was a critical and commercial success; the highest-grossing film of the year, Trainspotting earned an Academy Award nomination and won BAFTAs for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor. Often considered to be one of the top films of the 90s, in 2004 Trainspotting was voted the best Scottish film of all time in a public poll, and was ranked tenth in the BFI’s list of the Top 100 British films of the 20th century. A sequel, T2 Trainspotting, was released in 2017.

The novel has previously been adapted for the stage both as a play in the mid-90s and as an immersive theatre show, Trainspotting Live, in 2013, which was also a critical success.

The Cast of Trainspotting the Musical

Confirmed casting includes:

• Renton - Robbie Scott

Further casting is to be announced.

The Creative Team of Trainspotting the Musical

Trainspotting the Musical is written by Irvine Welsh, adapted from his own novel of the same name. Music and Lyrics are co-written by Welsh and dance music pioneer Stephen McGuinness aka Steve Mac (remixes on work by artists including Michael Jackson, Barry White, Amy Winehouse, INXS). The show is directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger (Only Fools and Horses the musical, Fawlty Towers Live).

Welsh is a Scottish author, screenwriter and playwright, best known for his novels, frequently written in an Edinburgh dialect Scots and set in his native Scotland, which depict themes of working-class life, drug addiction, and social alienation. Notable works include Trainspotting sequels/prequels Porno and Skagboys, as well as his novels and short story collections Glue, The Acid House, and Filth, which was also adapted into a film starring James McAvoy.

Tickets for the Trainspotting Musical at Theatre Royal Haymarket

Thirty years on, the story that defined a generation returns as you’ve never seen it before. You won't want to miss this defiant, provocative and truly unforgettable new musical as it makes its world premiere in London before embarking on a nationwide tour. So join the outsiders, feel the rush, and choose life - book your tickets for Trainspotting the Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket today.