The entire UK tour of Trainspotting: The Musical has been cancelled after receiving 'lower than expected' ticket sales.
The production is the first theatrical adaptation of Irvine Welsh's 1993 novel, which inspired the 1996 film starring Ewan McGregor. It follows a heroin addict in Edinburgh navigating poverty, friendship, and addiction with his dysfunctional peers.
Premiere and critical reception
The stage show was announced earlier this year and had its world premiere at London's Theatre Royal Haymarket last month. However, it received a number of negative reviews from critics.
Tour cancellation and statement
Following its London run, the show was due to start its UK tour in the autumn, with planned stops in Edinburgh, Sheffield, Manchester, and York. It was set to be held at Manchester's Palace Theatre from November 3 to 7.
In a statement issued to the Press Association, a spokesperson for the production said: “The forthcoming UK tour of Trainspotting: The Musical, which was due to begin on October 19, has been cancelled. We are very grateful to our cast, crew and creative team for their dedication to the production, but the current economic climate has resulted in lower than expected ticket sales. Ticketholders will be contacted by their point of purchase with full refund details. We apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment this may cause.”
Author's comments
The musical, directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, features a script written by Welsh, who appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today programme amid rumours of the cancellation. He said: “We are in difficult times and we've been looking at the numbers and sums. We knew it would be difficult to take a production of that scale on the road. We've got 30 cast members. Basically people just don't have the money.”
