All planned dates for the nationwide tour have been scrapped just weeks after the production opened in London to mixed reviews. The musical had been due to play Sunderland Empire from February 22 to 27 next year, but those performances will no longer go ahead. The London run is still set to continue until September 5.
From novel and screen to stage
Based on Irvine Welsh's novel, the story was previously adapted into the acclaimed 1996 film, in which Ewan McGregor played Renton alongside Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle and Kelly Macdonald. The film's soundtrack, including Underworld's "Born Slippy", became a chart hit. The stage musical was announced in May, with a UK tour scheduled to include Sunderland.
However, after opening in the West End to mixed reviews, the tour has now been cancelled. Kieran Brown, one of the show's stars, shared the news in a Facebook post on Sunday, attributing the decision to poor ticket sales.
"Just not selling"
Brown wrote: "So, once we finish Trainspotting in the West End, that’s it. The UK tour has sadly been cancelled - just not selling unfortunately for us. If Edinburgh of all places is stuck on 19% sales - you know you’re f***ed..!"
He added: "Nothing to do with some of our reviews (I’m gloatingly pleased to say!). 100+ people (who’d poured their heart and soul into something that our audiences in London seem to love) suddenly find themselves unemployed from 6th September. This business is brutal - but it’s business at end of day."
Sunderland Empire shows removed
The Sunderland Empire website now lists the engagement as "Closed", and ticket holders have been contacted by their point of purchase. All tour dates have also been removed from the musical's official website.
