Irvine Welsh says Trainspotting The Musical has 'uncertain future' after tour cancelled

The tour was due to open at the Edinburgh Playhouse on October 19.

But it was revealed on Monday that the production will not embark on its five-month tour after its London run at Theatre Royal Haymarket.

The tour was due to visit Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dunfermline as well as several cities in England and Wales, before returning to Edinburgh in March 2027.

The show was written by Edinburgh-born Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh and marked 30 years since the launch of the film adaptation.

One cast member shared on Facebook: “The UK tour has sadly been cancelled – just not selling unfortunately for us. If Edinburgh of all places is stuck on 19 per cent sales – you know you’re f***ed..!”

Theatres have halted sales with tickets for the Edinburgh Playhouse shows no longer available to purchase. Tour details have also been removed from the official website.

Questioned about the cancellation rumours on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday morning, Irvine Welsh said: “We are in difficult times and we’ve been looking at the numbers and sums.

“We knew it would be difficult to take a production of that scale on the road. We’ve got 30 cast members. Basically people just don’t have the money.

“We’re not sure yet but we know we’ll be in the West End right through to September. What will happen after that, it’s an uncertain future. It’s not a great time to be putting a new show on the road.”

The West End show was panned by critics when it debuted last month and was given a one star review by The Guardian.

In response, Mr Welsh told BBC presenter Amol Rajan: “Critics have already been horrible to me. If I get a good review for something I feel very violated. I think to myself, this shouldn’t be happening.

“I’m not the kind of writer that is loved by the critics. I tend to be a polarising force. I think it’s the way I go about these things and the way I write.”

Speaking about the musical in April, he said: “I believe 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.”

Scottish actor Robbie Scott stars in the London production as Mark Renton, a heroin addict in Edinburgh navigating poverty, friendship and addiction alongside his dysfunctional peers, and was expected to remain in the role for the tour.

He is joined by fellow Scottish actors 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.

A spokesperson for the Edinburgh Playhouse said: “Due to poor ticket sales, the upcoming tour, Trainspotting The Musical, has been cancelled. Customers' point of purchase will be in contact to arrange for a refund.

“We apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment this may cause. Trainspotting The Musical continues at London's Theatre Royal Haymarket until 5 September 2026."