'Trainspotting The Musical' to have world premiere in the West End

Written by Irvine Welsh (adapted from his best-selling debut novel) and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, the musical comes to London 30 years after the release of the film about a group of outsiders.

Trainspotting The Musical will have its world premiere in the West End this summer. Performances begin at Theatre Royal Haymarket on 15 July.

Written by Irvine Welsh (adapted from his best-selling debut novel) and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, the musical comes to London 30 years after the release of the film about a group of outsiders navigating a chaotic life of addiction, crime, and dysfunctional friendships.

Figures from the film — cult heroes of British youth culture — including Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, Tommy and Kelly, will return in the stage show alongside an ensemble cast and a live band. Renton (played in the film by Ewan McGregor) will be played by Scottish actor Robbie Scott, making his West End debut.

Welsh said: “This musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film. The various stage adaptations of Trainspotting have become acclaimed and moving theatrical experiences and the soundtrack to the movie is obviously iconic. So it made sense to put the music and words together to create an explosive, provocative and entertaining show. People need to think about the world we're living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also really need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off - it's what being human is all about - and they'll be well served with this too.”

The show will feature some of the iconic tracks from the film that defined a generation, along with original music and lyrics by Stephen McGuinness and Welsh. The rest of the creative team includes Set & Costume Designer Colin Richmond, Musical Supervisor, Orchestrator & Music Director Stuart Morley, Video Designer Douglas O’Connell, Choreographer Christina Andrea, Lighting Designer Ian Scott, and Sound Designer Rory Madden for Sonalyst.

Further casting will be announced soon.

Check back for Trainspotting The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Robbie Scott as Renton in Trainspotting The Musical. (Photo by Matt Crockett)