WATCH: Edinburgh Playhouse staff recreate iconic film scene to celebrate opening of Trainspotting The Musical
“Choose bagpipes on the Royal Mile. Choose struggling up Fleshmarket Close with way too much luggage. Choose a two hour queue for a pastry. Choose taps aff when it hits ten degrees outside. Choose Edinburgh. Choose theatre.”
Ahead of Trainspotting The Musical arriving at Edinburgh Playhouse in October, theatre staff have recreated the film’s iconic city centre chase scene.
Matching the original scene down Princes Street and through the streets of Edinburgh shot-for-shot, the video was written by and stars those who work at the theatre - where the chase ends in this recreation.
Trainspotting The Musical will premiere on London’s West End this July, before embarking on a major UK tour which will, fittingly, open at Edinburgh Playhouse on Monday, October 19.
Based on Irvine Welsh’s best-selling novel, the musical arrives 30 years on from the film’s initial release in 1996. Directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Welsh shared that he felt the production has “a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film”.
He said: “People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off.
“It’s what being human is all about. We’ve put together an incredible Scottish cast and I can’t wait to see them bring the musical to life.”
Featuring new songs with music and lyrics by Stephen McGuinness and Irvine Welsh, fans of the film can also expect to hear some of its most defining tracks as well.
Scottish newcomer Robbie Scott will take over from Ewan McGregor as Renton, with 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.
Highlighting the way the world is changing around us, the staff of Edinburgh Playhouse wrote their own monologue in the spirit of Trainspotting The Musical’s message.
Shot by Rob McDougall, the monologue plays over the chase which begins on Princes Street.
“Choose life. Choose a job. Choose family. Choose morning strolls through the Botanics. Choose a sunny afternoon in Leith. Choose a hike up Arthur’s Seat. Choose a 1am kebab in the Cowgate. Choose a picnic in the Meadows. Choose bagpipes on the Royal Mile. Choose struggling up Fleshmarket Close with way too much luggage. Choose a two hour queue for a pastry. Choose taps aff when it hits ten degrees outside. Choose Edinburgh. Choose theatre.”
Trainspotting The Musical: Every Scottish tour date - including Edinburgh
Trainspotting The Musical will embark on a major UK tour later this year, starting at Edinburgh Playhouse in October. Then from early 2027, the production will make stops around Scotland including Aberdeen, Dunfermline and Glasgow before rounding things off with another run at Edinburgh Playhouse in March.
Here are all of the Scottish tour dates for Trainspotting The Musical:
- From October 19 to 24: Edinburgh Playhouse
- From January 11 to 16: Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre
- From March 1 to 6: Dunfermline Alhambra Theatre
- From March 15 to 20: Glasgow Theatre Royal
- From March 22 to 27: Edinburgh Playhouse
How to get tickets for Trainspotting The Musical
Tickets for all Trainspotting The Musical shows are now available from the production’s official website, as well as directly from each venue.
You can find out more information and the full UK tour schedule, here.
As well as Scottish performances, the tour includes stops in cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham and more.
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