Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting is such a modern Scottish classic that it needs no introduction. Adapted for the stage by Harry Gibson, ‘Trainspotting Live’ is an immersive production performed by In Your Face Theatre’s Scottish cast, and it pulls no punches.

For those who have read the book or seen the film, they might have some expectations for what is going to happen on stage. However, no expectations can prepare you for what might happen in this space.

Shit, piss, sweat, water, and vomit fly around the space. At any moment, an actor might pick a random audience member and squeeze into their seat mid-scene, or fling a soiled bed sheet, used moments earlier to wipe themselves, across the crowd. Of course, none of it is real. The cast carefully selects harmless, oddly pleasant-smelling substitutes, but the visceral reactions are genuine: screams, laughter, and the occasional cry.

There is no traditional set, but the technical design of ‘Trainspotting Live’ is remarkably effective. Audience members sit on long padded benches flanking a central aisle, with a sofa and a bed placed at either end. This staging allows for wild, high-energy sequences, but also quieter moments of connection. In serious or emotional scenes, characters often stand at opposite ends of the aisle, with the long stretch of space between them heightening the tension and allowing the emotion to settle in the silence. Simple but precise lighting changes signal shifts in time, location, season, or mood with clarity and style.

The cast’s multi-roleing, combined with the non-linear narrative, can make it difficult to track exactly what is happening at times. But the sheer immediacy of the experience keeps audiences hooked. Sitting within arm’s reach of the actors, it feels as if the Cromdale Tunnel has transported us back to the late 1980s. We are not simply watching these characters. We are living alongside them, sharing their euphoria, their desperation, their joy, and their grief.

The production also takes care to accommodate audience members who might prefer a little distance from the most intense moments. An older gentleman at this performance was seated at the far end of the stage, away from the chaos, so he could enjoy the show without discomfort. That said, for audience members visibly distressed during the performance, a housekeeping announcement or an open option to move seats mid-performance might be a welcome addition.

‘Trainspotting Live’ is one of the most exciting and captivating experiences at this year’s Fringe. Thrilling, unpredictable, and unapologetically raw, it grabs its audience from the first moment and refuses to let go.

‘Trainspotting Life‘ is at Pleasance at EICC – Cromdale Tunnel until Sun 24 Aug 2025 at various times