Trainspotting

A coarse, intense and hilarious rollercoaster ride through the heroin-hinterlands of Thatcher-era Leith. Read more …

In a world where work and opportunities are scarce Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie and Spud rail against the trappings of a successful lifestyle held out of their reach, and seek life through the point of a needle. Published in 1993, Trainspotting defined a generation and remains one of the most important, hard-hitting stories of our time.

Before the globally successful film adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting, there was a theatre production at the Citizens that started it all. As the world waits for the film’s sequel, we’re bringing the notorious story back to the stage.

The critical consensus

It’s terrifically staged but is even better in its performances.

(*) Michael Cox, Across the Arts, 22/09/2016

A smart, smooth Trainspotting, then, but one unimaginable without Boyle’s famous film, or its still substantial fan base.

Mark Brown, Scottish Stage, 18/09/2016

Twenty-two years after its first staging, and with austerity biting deeper than ever, Trainspotting now looks fiercely of the moment.

(*) Neil Cooper, Coffee-Table Notes, 19/09/2016

A Trainspotting to remember.

joyce McMillan, The Scotsman, 19/09/2016

Harry Gibson’s adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s novel about urban alienation speaks as loudly, scabrously and irreverently as ever.

(*) Mark Fisher, The Guardian, 19/09/2016

Nicholls' curve-balls are endlessly inventive, integrated into Max Jones' split-level set. It could be the ultimate antidote to jukebox musicals.

(*) Lorna Irvine, The List, 19/09/2016

Trainspotting is everything a theatre production should be. It is hard-hitting, emotional, visually spectacular and led with incredible performances. This is an absolute must-see.

Natalie O'Donoghue, Broadway World, 16/09/2016

Crackles with a raw new power.

(*) David Pollock, The Independent, 22/09/2016

Energising and skin-crawling.

Christine Irvine, Exeunt, 19/09/2016

None of this is to say that Nicholls’s production is ever less than engaging, but it does feel at times like a tribute act rather than a fresh take on familiar material.

(*) (*) Allan Radcliffe, 22/09/2016

Situated at home in Edinburgh, this production hits close to many an audience member. So, none of this ‘Choose Life, Choose this show, Choose Trainspotting’ nonsense. Clichés aren’t required, for this production speaks for itself.

(*) Dominic Corr, The Reviews Hub, 15/11/2017