Edinburgh Fringe 2017

Trainspotting Live (EICC, 6pm, 7.45pm and 9.30pm Thurs-Tues)

In my mind, there's no better place to experience this timeless, Scottish narrative than in the tunnels underneath Edinburgh city. Trainspotting Live has just finished its tour of the UK, and now its back home to shock and disgust once again. I nearly couldn't go see Trainspotting, as I'm working 5-11pm every day, but thank fuck the previews hadn't sold out, because this has surpassed the film in my esteem.

Trainspotting is an in your face film, and so its only right that it becomes an immersive experience live. Although this isn't your typical Punchdrunk / Secret Cinema like walk-through performance, its well and truly inclusive in the way its directed. To say anything about the setting and what you see when you enter would be spoiling it; we were all hyped from the moment we went through the fire doors. If you're squeamish or funny about being bothered when you see a play, pay the extra for the assigned seats, because no person in the audience was left out. Be prepared for piss, shit, cocks, balls and tears. Also, you may be offended. My tall, rather hairy, friend was called chewbacca by Renton, I was actually quite jealous.

At first I was worried that  it was relying too much on the gross, in-yer-face aspects in a comedic way. Being someone that always has a problem with films glamorising drug-taking I was wondering whether it had got the wrong tone. But it takes a subtle and well timed turn, from being hilarious to heart-wrenching and touching. I love that the characters we know from the film are re-shaped according to the actors in this version. Renton isn't Ewan McGregor anymore, but a fucked up, and fantastically fresh version of the classic's anti-hero. I was actually brought to tears at the exchange between Renton and Begbie after a certain tragedy. Something about that hug and running up the traverse space brought shivers to all our spines. 

Every single person in that audience laughed, clasped their hands to their mouths and reeled back in disgust at some point in the show. The dark side to the drug scene is exposed in a perfect and horrible way. The use of strobes in one scene goes past their cliche and is hands down one of the coolest live things I have ever seen.

To say anymore would spoil. SO if you're in Edinburgh go, and if not, get a fecking train up.