Following sold out runs at the 2015 and 2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Trainspotting Live arrives in Melbourne as part of this year’s Comedy Festival and it’ll be, without a doubt, unlike any trip to the theatre you’ve ever had before.
As you descend the stairs into the basement theatre on Flinders Lane the sound of thumping electronic music begins to intensifies and you realise you’re not in for your average adaptation. You’re greeted and adorned with glow sticks before heading through to the performance space where the cast are dancing like madmen to mid ’90s techno music, building an energy and an atmosphere that is unmatched. What follows is one of the most energetic and confronting performances you’re likely to see at this year’s festival. The performers give their hearts and souls to their performances, baring themselves (sometime literarily) for the audience and diving head first into the world of drug addiction. They showcase both the frivolity and pathos that comes with this lifestyle as they seamlessly move through the vignettes that make up Irvine Welsh’s original novel.
You’ve been warned, however. Audience participation is inevitable with this performances as the actors run, jump, scream and grab at unsuspecting audience members throughout. Don’t worry though, this just adds to the fun and exhilaration of what you’re seeing and you can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement or nerves when a performer comes close by. This intrusiveness works in the same way the source material did, using it for comedy and to confront the audience but this also works to connect us with the characters and helps land the effect of the more dramatic elements of the show.
While most people are more familiar with the 1996 film version, it’s probably worth noting that this production is based off Irvine Welsh’s original novel, which helps to separate it from previous versions, giving it it’s own life while the cast instil it with a distinct sense or urgency. It never exploits its source material, just simply reinterprets it and to great effect. It’s creative, bold and completely unique making it one of the must see shows at this year’s festival.
By Chris Swan
