Trainspotting the Musical, based on the novel by Irvine Welsh and the subsequent 1996 film, begins its world premiere run in the West End this week. Here’s what you need to know.
Renton, Sick Boy, and the gang are back! 30 years after the iconic film exploded on the screen, Trainspotting is serving up a whole new kind of experience. Trainspotting the Musical makes its world premiere at Theatre Royal Haymarket, with previews beginning today, 15 July 2026.
Excitement has been high for this brand-new musical, based on Irvine Welsh’s novel of the same name. Here’s what we know so far, and what you can expect.
What’s the story?
This isn’t the first live version of Trainspotting to happen – Trainspotting Live has made the rounds in recent years, offering an immersive 80-minute reimagining of the novel – but Trainspotting the Musical is something else entirely.
This bold new musical transforms the novel into a traditional stage experience, but one that invites audience participation and an immersive experience. It’s safe to say this is the next stage in the evolution of Trainspotting’s presence on stage.
The original novel came out in 1993, following Mark Renton and his group of friends as they grapple with heroin addiction, unemployment, crime, and friendship, set against the backdrop of the Thatcher-era decline that defined the era.
Irvine Welsh has said that he believes, ‘the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film. 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.’
Is Irvine Welsh involved?
The musical is written by Irvine Welsh himself (based both on his own novel and its film adaptation). Welsh also contributes lyrics to the musical, written with Stephen McGuinness. Given Welsh’s close involvement on the project, we’re confident the musical will honour the story we all know and love.
Directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, the wider creative team for the musical includes set and costume designer Colin Richmond, musical supervisor/orchestrator Stuart Morley, choreographer Christina Andrea, and lighting designer Ian Scott.
Who’s in the cast of Trainspotting?
Scottish actor Lewis Kidd (Starlight Express London; Mamma Mia!) stars as Mark Renton, the role originated by Ewan McGregor in the now-iconic film.
Othe familiar characters from the book and film also appear in the musical, including Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, Tommy, and Kelly.
Fellow Scottish actor Sheridan Townsley (Sing Street) will play Sick Boy, Kieran Andrew (Only Fools and Horses the Musical) takes on the role of Spud, and Finlay Paul (Oklahoma!) stars as Tommy. Yana Harris (So Young) will star as Kelly.
Frankie O’Connor, who stars as Begbie, also appeared in Trainspotting Live.
When the show goes on tour, Robbie Scott will take over the role of Renton. He was originally slated to play the role in the West End, but an injury forced him to step back from the production.
What’s the music like?
One major influence for the musical? The eclectic genre-mixing soundtrack from the film. Featured the likes of Primal Scream, Blondie, New Order, Blur and Lou Reed, the soundtrack to Trainspotting is widely considered one of the best film soundtracks of all time.
Stephen McGuinness and Irvine Welsh have pulled in some of those iconic songs, blending them with new original songs, performed by a live band. This won’t be a typical jukebox musical pulling classic hits from the 90s, though. It pulls plenty of inspiration from several genres, including urban house, blues, disco, jazz, and rock ballads.
Two songs from the film will make an appearance though: ‘Lust for Life’ by Iggy Pop and ‘Perfect Day’ by Lou Reed.
Is the musical going to be like the film?
It’s been 30 years since the film arrived on screens across the world, and the nostalgia is high. People who love the film are sure to be drawn into by the musical.
It’s worth noting that viewers won’t get a like-for-like adaptation. While the problems are still the same, they take a slightly different form. After all, addiction hasn’t gone anywhere, it’s just changed.
The musical will reflect some of that modern culture of powerlessness that many today feel just as strongly as the iconic characters in the 90s did. Audiences will see the same core characters they are used to, including Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, Tommy and Kelly, but they’ll have some modern tweaks to accommodate the changing world the story is being presented in.
As Welsh has said, ‘Trainspotting is both anti the traditional musical, yet also a proper musical theatrical experience, where the songs move the story forward. I’ve introduced some new characters, the parents of our protagonists, their girlfriends, to freshen up the story rather than try to simply replicate the book or movie.’
Essential details
Planning to book tickets to see Trainspotting? Here’s what you need to know.
- Venue: Theatre Royal Haymarket
- Booking dates: Booking until 5 September 2026
- Performance schedule: Monday to Saturday evenings, Thursday and Saturday matinees
- Runtime: 2 hours (including interval)
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