‘Trainspotting’ becomes a musical: world premiere celebrates opening night in the West End

Irvine Welsh, the Scottish author of the cult novel “Trainspotting”, has brought to the stage a brand-new musical adaptation of his work: the world premiere celebrated its opening night at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket, where — as WhatsOnStage, present at the ceremony, reports — the lead cast gathered to celebrate what the team itself describes as an “anti-musical”.

The musical is written by Welsh himself, based on his famous novel, while the music and lyrics are his collaboration with Stephen McGuinness; direction and artistic development are signed by Caroline Jay Ranger, with the production presented by Phil McIntyre Live. The score weaves songs tied to the original 1996 film with new material written expressly for the stage.

In the lead roles play Lewis Kidd as Renton, Sheridan Townsley as Sick Boy, Kieran Andrew as Spud, Frankie O’Connor as Begbie, Finlay Paul as Tommy and Yana Harris as Kelly — the beloved characters of the story, followed three decades after the Ewan McGregor screen version, the film that became the highest-grossing British production of 1996 and won the BAFTA for best screenplay.

The production will play in the West End for a limited run until September 5, before starting a UK tour on October 19 — launching, as it could only be, in Edinburgh. Robbie Scott, injured during rehearsals, is expected to return to the role of Renton during the tour, while tickets are already on sale.