Thirty years after the film that redefined British cinema, the rebels of Leith are returning in a seismic new format. Phil McIntyre Live has announced the world premiere of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting The Musical, storming into the Theatre Royal Haymarket for a strictly limited summer season opening Wednesday 15 July 2026. Tickets below.
Written by Welsh himself and adapted from his legendary debut novel, this "expectation-defying" production marks a bold evolution for Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, and Spud. Directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, the show promises a live and loud defiance that speaks directly to our contemporary "malaise of defiance in the face of an uncertain future."
Stepping into the iconic role of Renton—made famous on screen by Ewan McGregor—is 26-year-old Scottish actor Robbie Scott, making his highly anticipated West End debut. He will be backed by an ensemble cast and a live band performing a genre-defining score. The soundtrack blends electrifying tracks from the original 1996 film with brand-new, original songs featuring music and lyrics by Stephen McGuinness and Irvine Welsh.
Welsh believes the musical medium offers a unique emotional depth. “This musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film,” Welsh said. “The various stage adaptations have become acclaimed and moving theatrical experiences, and the soundtrack to the movie is obviously iconic. So it made sense to put the music and words together to create an explosive, provocative and entertaining show.”
The production is described as more than just a theatrical performance; it is a "manifesto" for the outsiders. As Welsh puts it: “People need to think about the world we're living in... but they also really need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off—it's what being human is all about.”
Tickets for this radical, life-affirming experience are on sale now below.
