3amCelebrity NewsIrvine WelshTrainspotting was a huge hit film 30 years ago and has now been transformed into a loud and lairy musical09:22, 16 Jul 2026Updated 09:46, 16 Jul 2026FIRsT LOOK: Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting The MusicalFans have been given the first look at the new Trainspotting musical - ahead of it opening for previews.‌The teaser video shows 26-year-old Scottish actor Lewis Kidd, who plays Mark Renton, delivering some of the iconic Choose Life opening monologue from the 1996 film, which forms part of the musical.‌Thirty years on from the iconic film, the world Premiere of Trainspotting The Musical begins in the West End tonight.‌Written by Irvine Welsh (adapted from his best-selling debut novel) and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger. This is the story of the outsiders, the rebels in a live and loud performance across the Theatre Royal Haymarket stage from Wednesday 15 July as well as being on a UK tour from October.In 1996 Trainspotting was released and became the biggest grossing UK film of the year taking over $76 million worldwide and won a slew of awards including a BAFTA for Best Screenplay. In 1999 it was ranked 10th in the British Film Institute’s ‘Top 100 Greatest British Films of the 20th Century’.‌Ahead of the launch of the musical, Irvine Welsh said: “This musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film.“The various stage adaptations of Trainspotting have become acclaimed and moving theatrical experiences and the soundtrack to the movie is obviously iconic. So it made sense to put the music and words together to create an explosive, provocative and entertaining show."People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also really need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off - it’s what being human is all about - and they’ll be well served with this too.”Article continues belowBritish youth Renton(played in the film by Ewan McGregor) is being played on stage by Scottish actor Lewis Kidd. He will be joined by fellow Scots actors Sheridan Townsley as Sick Boy, Kieran Andrew as Spud, Frankie O’Connor as Begbie, Finlay Paul as Tommy, Rebecca McKinnis as Cathy Renton, Gordon Cooper as Davie Renton, Ashley J. Russell as Colleen, Rosie Dignan as Alison, Yana Harris as Kelly, and Sophie Hutchinson as Lizzie.* Trainspotting The Musical opens at Theatre Royal Haymarket tonight (15 July) and then tours the UK from 19 October. Tickets: TrainspottingTheMusical.co.ukLike this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Irvine WelshEwan McGregor