A Trainspotting musical is in the works, reveals book’s author

A musical adaption of Trainspotting is in the works, the book’s original author has revealed.

Irvine Welsh penned the 1993 novel which was made into an acclaimed movie in 1996.

The book has been previously adapted as a stage play and now a musical is in the works with hopes of a West End run.

Steve McGuinness is helping to write songs with producer Phil McIntyre attached.

Welsh told the Daily Record newspaper: I don’t want to jinx something that’s in development, but my songwriting partner Steve and I have done 14 brand new songs for a Trainspotting musical.”

He explained: “We do a kind of techno act together, but we’ve stepped up to write urban house, blues, jazz, disco and rock ‘n’ roll songs and power ballads.

“We’ve got the songs and we’ve got a script for it. We’re looking at things like casting, choreographers and set designers.”

Welsh went on to say the first production was “about a year from now at the earliest” but had high hopes, adding: “I think we’ll probably try to go straight into the West End. That’s the ambition for it.”

The movie adaption of Trainspotting, which follows a group of drug addicts in Edinburgh in the 1980s, starred Ewan McGregor and was nominated for two BAFTAs and an Academy Award.

In 2017 a sequel, T2 Trainspotting, was released based on the follow up 2002 novel Porno.

About the author: Jessica White

Recent University graduate Jessica is the newest writer for Stageberry. She's over the moon to be sharing her theatre knowledge and passion for musicals with the online world.

 

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