Trainspotting Live
Riverside Studios
18th Oct to 6th Nov 2022
“This punchy, 75 minute production recaptures the passion and the controversy of the famous novel, then globally successful film, and repackages it into an immersive production – the audience are literally part of the show, including the notorious “Worst Toilet in Scotland” scene.
Choose us. Choose life. Choose mortgage payments; choose washing machines; choose cars; choose sitting on a couch watching mind-numbing and spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing fuckin junk food intae yir mooth. Choose rotting away, pushing and shiteing yersel in a home, a total fuckin embarrassment tae the selfish, fucked-up brats ye’ve produced.
Choose life.
Trainspotting is the story of Mark Renton and his friends, living through the Edinburgh heroin scene of the 80s. Harry Gibson’s original stage adaptation, written before it became the famous blockbuster film, was instantly successful and controversial, and won the Sunday Times Award for Best New Play. For this 21st anniversary production, In Your Face Theatre’s Scottish cast have created a snappy and vibrant affirmation of the power and humour of the piece.
This no-holds-barred immersive, in-yer-face theatre production left Irvine Welsh feeling “blown away” – for avid fans this is a must, and if you’ve never read the book or seen the film: this is your ticket to a ride you won’t soon forget.”
Review by Richard Lambert, 5 Stars
Arriving at the Riverside Studios and you’ll be offered a pair of ear plugs. And a chat about what to expect. This is one show that actually needs a trigger warning. It is offensive. Deliberately so. It is an adrenaline rush that is shocking, and funny, and poignant, and emotional. And very real!
The ear plugs are for the pre-show. It is a club vibe with loud music. The cast are dancing around and helping you get seated in this traverse configuration.
They are mental!
The show starts and it’s an explosion of raw energy from start to finish. Delivering a perspective of young people on the dole who don’t know how to fit into society. They haven’t been socialised, you’d not want them as work colleagues, but they have a bond of loyalty with each other. There are scenes of drug use, domestic abuse and selfish behaviour all bound within brilliant comedy and utter tragedy.
This production is based on the Irvine Walsh novel, adapted by Harry Gibson and brilliantly directed by Adam Spreadbury-Maher. The cast give 150% to the production and don’t hold back at all for a single second. There isn’t any other live theatre out there quite like this. If you want your emotions tossed around this is the show that will do it. It is an incredible piece of adult theatre.
Technically this is spot-on. Fantastic lighting by Clancy Flynn taking the space from club scene to street to indoors, with a sound track of songs we all already know. What’s not to love.
Andrew Barrett in the title role of Renton was phenomenal. Greg Esplin plays Tommy and also holds the reins as co-director on the tour. Ben Anderson as Associate Director holding this demanding show together. Performing this show once is a lot, doing this daily is Olympic!
The entire audience gave a standing ovation, and rightly so!
Trainspotting Live Trailer: Click here
LONDON – Riverside Studios, Hammersmith
18 Oct – 6 Nov – BOOK TICKETS
SOUTHAMPTON – MAST Mayflower Studios
9 – 12 Nov – BOOK TICKETS