I am absolutely terrified of needles. Like properly scared.
But, you know what? Despite that. Despite the soul crushing, blood freezing fear that I feel at the mere mention of the word ‘needle', I went to see Trainspotting for you. Irvine Welsh's tale of heroin addiction in Edinburgh.
And, my friends, brothers and sisters, comrades, I tell you this truthfully as I always do. Not once, not even when Renton thread that needle into his big, blue veins, did I even think about tearing my eyes from the stage. This was amazing!
Every speck of dust, every spark of light, every creaking floorboard seem to perform and contribute to this whirlwind of a show. The performances are all electric. The emotions that fly take your breath away and leave you dazzled and disorientated. Some audience members even had to leave - though I suspect that the temperature of the room also had something to do with that: the only downfall on an otherwise fantastic evening.
It is quite shocking in some places, but you never get the feeling that it is done simply for the sake of it. It is a terrible world that these characters live in and the production is unflinching in its portrayal, never shying away from the more horrific and difficult elements of the story.
I will try not to waffle on too much about it because you need to get out there and buy yourself a ticket while you still can.
If you liked the novel and/or the film, you will not be disappointed by this spectacle. If you have not read the book or seen the film then this will be a perfect introduction to a phenomenon (though I am curious what planet you've been on if you haven't come by Trainspotting).
Harrowing, funny, sick, intelligent and utterly, utterly mesmerising. This show is not on for very long. You have to see this.
Times: 11-15 Aug, 8.10pm