Trainspotting musical coming to Royal Haymarket this summer

Fahad Redha

April 23, 2026
3 min read

Trainspotting musical coming to Royal Haymarket this summer

1993 novel, Trainspotting, has been turned into a musical. The show will debut Theatre Royal Haymarket in the West End of London on 15^th July 2026.The show will run for two hours, including a 20-minute interval, between Monday and Saturday, with matinees on Thursday and Saturday.

The musical will follow protagonist Renton, a heroin addict in Edinburgh in the 1980s. 26-year-old actor Robbie Scott will be making his debut as Renton.

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Trainspotting The Musical was penned by the book’s author, Irvine Welsh. It promises to be “radical, invigorating and life-affirming, this provocative, unforgettable experience will have even the most sceptical leave on a consciousness-altering high.”

This marks the second adaptation of Trainspotting following the 1996 movie directed by Danny Boyle and starring Ewan McGregor as Renton. It would go on to earn massive acclaim, including a BAFTA for Best Screenplay, and is often considered one of the best British films ever made.

The story will now go on stage for the first time, including some of the “electrifying tracks from the film that defined a generation.” Additional music and lyrics have been composed by Welsh and Stephen McGuinness.

“This musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film,” Welsh said. “The various stage adaptations of Trainspotting 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.”

Image: MrsEllacott

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About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.