Neil Norman

A new musical adaptation of Trainspotting remains as crude and provocative as Irvine Welsh’s original, featuring thick Scottish accents, raw humour and graphic depictions of addiction. The first half suffers from low energy and awkward choreography, but the second half gains dramatic weight as the consequences of heroin use intensify. Performances by Kieran Andrew and Lewis Kidd stand out, while musical highlights include tracks by Tears for Fears and The Verve. Despite criticisms of some musical additions and staging, the production offers a gritty, unsettling portrayal of addiction at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.