ED2016 5/5 Reviews ED2016 Theatre Reviews

Trainspotting (Kings Head Theatre and In Your Face Theatre)

By Patricia-Ann Young | Published on Tuesday 9 August 2016

The first ten minutes of this stage adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s novel ‘Trainspotting’ offers some of the most arresting, exhilarating theatre you’ll probably see in years, never mind just at this year’s Festival. Pushed together in a claustrophobic space, the audience are pushed, prodded, cuddled and screamed at by the cast, an experience so immersive and riling one audience member stormed out. But the manic highs of the first half give way to the terrible, soul breaking lows of a life shackled to addiction, with Gavin Ross’ central, electric performance as Renton pulling the audience into that emotional turmoil. A show worthy of its hype, ‘Trainspotting’ is more of a sensory experience than a theatre production.

Assembly George Square Studios, until 29 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [Patricia-Ann Young]