TRAINSPOTTING THE MUSICAL
Theatre Royal Haymarket
★
“It may be a perfect day for Renton, but sadly, not for us”
There is always controversy, and also a certain predictability, when the counterculture becomes mainstream. The classic example of this is punk rock’s aggressive rejection of the music industry and society in the 1970s, which eventually turned into a conventional consumer commodity. No longer a threat, but accepted everyday life. There is sometimes irony in this, particularly when the original meaning is lost on its new audience. Lou Reed’s song ‘Perfect Day’ was incongruously picked up as the anthemic Children in Need charity single back in 1997. Did nobody examine the lyrics? As a love letter to heroin, however, it was an ideal choice for Danny Boyle’s film adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s gritty novel about Edinburgh heroin addicts. Already a massive cultural landmark of the nineties, the film revitalised modern British cinema.
One would hope that the musical treatment would have the same effect on London’s West End. Especially with Welsh himself at the helm, adapting his own novel and co-writing the original music and lyrics (with Stephen McGuinness) that sit alongside snippets of the iconic soundtrack from the film. It could be a triumph. And indeed, it is. A triumph of ambition over direction. The result is a senseless concoction of ideas that make a kindergarten brainstorming session look like rocket science. Practically every theatrical choice has no thought behind it.
Hats off to the cast, though, who dive headlong into their roles with the determination of an addict after their next fix. The commitment cannot be faulted, despite the occasional hesitation that betrays an unease with the material they have been handed. There is a moment when Spud (Kieran Andrew) questions why his fellow druggies keep bursting into song, echoing the audience’s bafflement. A moment of lucidity in the writing, perhaps, yet the self-referential humour is unsustained, leaving the potential for full-on parody unrealised.
Welsh’s novel, the subsequent stage adaptation and Boyle’s film follows the five principal characters in a stream-of-consciousness style. Its nonlinear plot allows differing perspectives that lead to a three-dimensional overview of these desperate characters. Director Caroline Jay Ranger’s staging flattens them in what is essentially a series of vignettes and songs plucked from a goody bag without rhyme or reason, leaving the actors to muddle through a mire of disjointed nonsense. Frankie O’Connor has muscle as the sociopathic Begbie but lacks the requisite menace. In short, we fail to believe. The harrowing moment when Rosie Dignan’s Alison loses her baby while she injects herself with heroin is obscured in clunky blocking and distraction – we are too busy wondering if this is a cue for another ill-fitting musical number.
Lewis Kidd, as Renton, has the charisma to bear the bulk of the narration, but we are told too much rather than being allowed to watch and make up our own minds. Renton’s parents (Rebecca McKinnis and Gordon Cooper) make an appearance in this musical version as expositional add-ons. Like the whole cast they have fine singing voices, but put to bewildering use. There are glimpses, however, for example the gospel-tinged reprise of Iggy Pop’s ‘Lust for Life’ which shows off the company’s rousing ensemble harmonies. Harmonies that simply don’t belong here, however, in much the same way that this story doesn’t belong in the plush surroundings of the Theatre Royal Haymarket. It is homogenised beyond recognition. Gone is all sense of subversion. Take away the expletives and we could be in a suburban school hall.
The run up to opening night was peppered with the question of why Welsh’s novel should be a musical. But then again, anything can be nowadays. On a positive note, “Trainspotting the Musical” defeats that argument. This dubious sense of optimism is reflected in the closing moments of the show, during which Renton shafts his so-called mates, steals their money and gleefully scarpers. A bit of a misguided message, especially when accompanied by a stirring chorus of ‘Perfect Day’. It may be a perfect day for Renton, but sadly, not for us.
TRAINSPOTTING THE MUSICAL
Theatre Royal Haymarket then UK Tour continues
Reviewed on 23rd July 2026
by Jonathan Evans
Photography by Matt Crockett
