The cast took their curtain call on the opening night of Trainspotting the Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London, but the production fails to live up to the iconic film. The chopped-up story and forgettable songs make for a disappointing experience.
A weak impersonation of the film
The iconic words "Choose life" are repeated multiple times in this musical adaptation of Irvine Welsh's novel, but the drug-addled escapades look about as dangerous as a double-dose of Gaviscon. Written by Welsh and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, the story appears disconnected, with scenes rattled off as if from a Trainspotting-branded assembly line.
The well-known set-pieces, from the group trip to Blackpool to the speed-fuelled job interview by Spud (Kieran Andrew) and the snooker-table violence from Begbie (Frankie O'Connor), are presented in a different order. The toilet high is made more vivid with back screens, but the overall effect lacks the shocking, entertaining, or poignant impact of the film.
Touching moments but lacking devastation
There are some touching moments, such as the death of Alison's (Rosie Dignan) baby and the decline of Tommy (Finlay Paul), but these are not nearly as devastating as they should be and are briskly enacted. A moment where Spud's mother rails against social ills lacks the sparkling imagination needed.
The advertising declares the return of these characters 30 years on from Danny Boyle's film, but the train has been chugging on since the novel's publication in 1993, spawning prequels, sequels, a stage play, and a second film. This production feels like another iteration of Trainspotting Inc.
Cardboard characters and forgettable songs
The leads are visibly styled on the film actors but remain cardboard flat. Renton (Lewis Kidd) lacks the dark charisma of Ewan McGregor, though it is hardly Kidd's fault as characterization doesn't allow nuance. The cover numbers, including Iggy Pop's Lust for Life and Lou Reed's Perfect Day, bring the few high points but only imitate the far better originals. Songs written by Stephen McGuinness and Welsh are forgettable at best, with one sounding alarmingly like a riff on The Proclaimers.
It seems strange to see these characters singing as they shoot up or rage against the machine. One wonders if Renton would really choose to return to this life, as it all seems so tame and commercial for this bunch of anti-capitalists. A bad trip indeed.
The musical plays until 5 September, followed by a UK tour.
