It seems ironic that a show about heroin lacks so much speed. Trainspotting, a production by Spud Theatre, has its virtues, but agility is not one of them. The play is an adaptation for the stage from the novel by Harry Gibson, but is a script that one can only describe as clunky. The story of Renton’s life as a heroin addict in Edinburgh and how the drug affects those around him loses urgency, and instead becomes torpid with slow scene changes. In the end, whilst moments of the play have a real tension to them and a great sense of emotion, the vast majority falls flat. The often-pointless narration also causes scenes to slow down when they need not. There are members of the cast who manage to transcend a flimsy script, however. Will Fox, who plays Renton, gives a wonderful performance. The problem is the production gives him almost no room to breathe: entire swathes of potential are avoided, there is no character arc, just glimpses of a deeper story. His mother’s attempt to break his addiction cold turkey is entirely bypassed for a monologue about Canadian girls, which is funny but not relevant in comparison. Praise also needs to be offered to Kat Tanney, who plays Alison. Although she never quite got the chance to reach the full intensity possible in the cot death scene (this may be an issue more of direction than of the actress), she gave an absolutely thrilling performance in the last few scenes, and her monologues were never anything less than captivating. She was the true story to enjoy here, as Renton's and Franco’s stories meant little.
