Review: Trainspotting The Musical (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
© Matt Crockett
"Choose life." With those iconic opening words, Danny Boyle’s 1996 masterpiece Trainspotting hits the ground running and never looks back. Tracking the chaotic, heroin-fueled lives of Mark Renton and his deeply flawed friends in late-80s Edinburgh, the film plunges viewers into a world that is equal parts darkly comedic and brutally depressing. It’s an unflinching, stylish, and deeply human look at addiction and urban decay that still packs an incredible punch today.
The main cast features: Lewis Kidd as Mark Renton, Sheridan Townsley as Sick Boy, Kieran Andrew as Spud, Frankie O'Connor as Begbie, Finlay Paul as Tommy, Rebecca McKinnis as Cathy Renton, Gordon Cooper as Davie Renton, Ashley J. Russell as Colleen, Rosie Dignan as Alison, Yana Harris as Kelly, and Sophie Hutchinson as Lizzie.
The ensemble includes: Ally Kennard, Kieran Brown, Melanie Marshall, Samuel Stewart, Finlay McKillop, Ciara Ennis, Victoria Nicol, Kyra Fyvie, and Chris O'Mara.
© Matt Crockett
Before seeing the musical, I watched the movie, which gave me a much clearer understanding of what the show would cover.
The original film is such an iconic cult classic and cultural movement, which explains why so many people know and care deeply about this story. However, the story itself is uncompromisingly heavy, dealing with harsh topics like drug addiction, toxic dependency, and social decay. After watching the film, I wasn’t entirely sold on it, which made me even more curious about how they would translate such a huge cultural touchstone into a musical.
It’s often marketed as a comedy, but to be honest, I struggle to see where that label comes from. Turning dark, uncomfortable scenes of severe addiction into humour feels like a strange mix, and a lot of the jokes didn't really land for me. While the story itself isn't quite my taste, Kieran Andrew’s performance as Spud was a true highlight of the evening. His natural comedic timing and charm made the experience far more enjoyable every time he was on stage.
Furthermore, the rest of the cast put in an incredible performance; portraying someone high on heroin convincingly requires a high level of acting skill, and the actors fully committed to the physical intensity of those moments. It is just the story itself that feels strange and not quite right to turn into a musical.
Visually, the production makes a strong first impression. It’s a large stage with a lot of potential, including a balcony that serves as an extra acting level for the cast.
Combined with the lighting design, it’s a very promising element of the production. Seeing the impressive stage setup initially gave me high hopes for the show.
Sadly, the music itself is a letdown. Songs are normally what carry a musical, but in this case, they felt disconnected and lacked flow. Instead of driving the plot forward, the musical numbers felt forced into the scenes, leaving you with an entirely unmemorable soundtrack that you forget the moment you walk out of the theatre.
Overall, while the talent of the cast and the great set design make it an interesting watch, the weak songs hold it back from being a truly great production.
Trainspotting: The Musical is playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until September 5th, before heading on a UK tour.
Star rating: ★★
