The musical is based on the 1993 novel by Irvine Welsh, which was adapted into a 1996 film directed by Danny Boyle. The film starred Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly Macdonald, following a group of heroin addicts in an economically depressed area of Edinburgh to critical and commercial success. A sequel, 'T2 Trainspotting', was released in 2017.
The musical features music and lyrics written by Irvine Welsh and musician Stephen McGuinness, with the production directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger. It will include popular tracks from the film, such as Iggy Pop's 'Lust for Life' and Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day'. Irvine Welsh said the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film, adding that it includes both original songs and tracks from the movie soundtrack.
' In the cast, Mark Renton is played by Robbie Scott, a role originally portrayed by Ewan McGregor in the film. The exact date in July for the West End premiere and the specific theater have not been announced, and it is unclear whether the song 'Born Slippy' will be included as clearance is still being sought.