Just weeks after arriving in the West End, Trainspotting the Musical has pulled the plug on its planned UK tour, which included a date in Nottingham.
The stage adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s cult classic had been due to hit the road this autumn, kicking off with a run at Edinburgh Playhouse from October 19, with dates for Nottingham planned in January 2027.
But the tour has now been scrapped, with disappointing ticket sales cited as the reason for the cancellation.
The musical, which opened in London in July, reimagines Welsh’s bestselling novel and the beloved 1996 film adaptation that helped launch Ewan McGregor to stardom. Developed and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, it features a book by Welsh, plus music and lyrics by Welsh and Stephen McGuinness, blending original songs with tracks associated with the film’s iconic soundtrack.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Welsh said the challenges of touring such a large-scale production had always been apparent.
“We knew it would be difficult to take a production of that scale on the road,” he said.
“We’ve got 30 cast members. Basically people just don’t have the money.”
As for what comes next, Welsh suggested the musical’s longer-term future remains unclear. For now, however, the show will continue its scheduled run in the West End, with performances going ahead as planned in London.
