Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, Tommy, and Kelly, the industrial drug-crazed working-class heroes, are back.
In 1996, CHOOSE LIFE sounded like a challenge. Thirty years on, the landscape has shifted, but the hunger hasn’t. Addiction hasn’t disappeared – it’s shifted. It’s quieter now, more embedded. Less needle, more screen. Less escape, more repetition. The same restless search for something to fill the space.
The musical highlights the world we see changing around us, the obscene concentration of wealth, economic and political power in the hands of so few people. It addresses the modern culture of powerlessness. Art the singing-and-dancing Trojan horse that delivers direction and relevance.
This isn’t nostalgia, it’s closer than that. The past isn’t revisited – it lingers. The musical doesn’t tidy it. It sits with it. Listens to it. And lets it sing. New songs, classic songs, a musical like never before. Not for the easily confronted. It’s funny, loud, dynamic, and brings a dark dangerous energy never experienced before on the West End stage.“I believe the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film. People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also really need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off – it’s what being human is all about.” Irvine Welsh, April 2026There are no clean answers here. Only incredible music and flashes of clarity, humour, and the uneasy sense of recognition.
CHOOSE LIFE.
Ticket prices from: £35.00
Prices are subject to availability and may change
Date(s): Tue 1 Dec – Sat 5 Dec 2026
Alexandra Theatre
Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4DS
Category: Musicals
Frequently Asked Questions About The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham
Where is Trainspotting The Musical performing?
Trainspotting The Musical is playing at The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham, Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4DS.
How do I get to The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham?
Train: Birmingham New Street station is a 5 to 10-minute walk via the Station Street exit near the low-numbered platforms, heading south. Bus: Multiple routes stop on Suffolk Queensway directly outside. Car: Postcode B5 4DS. Parking: NCP Birmingham Smallbrook (3-minute walk), NCP Birmingham Queensway Tunnel (5-minute walk), or NCP Birmingham New Street on St Jude's Passage. Pre-book via the NCP ParkPass app for a better rate. Taxis and rideshares can drop off directly outside the main entrance.
How long is Trainspotting The Musical?
Musicals typically run for approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval. Please check the show listing or booking page for the exact confirmed running time.
What time should I arrive at The Alexandra Theatre?
We recommend arriving at least 20 to 30 minutes before the performance begins. This gives you time to collect or check your tickets, find your seats, visit the facilities, and browse refreshment options at the bar. Please note that latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break in the performance.
How much are tickets at The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham?
Ticket prices at The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham typically start from £15.00, though prices vary by production. Always check the booking calendar for current pricing and availability.
Is there an age recommendation for Trainspotting The Musical?
Age recommendations vary by production. Please check the specific show listing or the ATG Tickets booking page for age guidance before booking.
Where is the best place to buy tickets for Trainspotting The Musical?
Tickets for Trainspotting The Musical at The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham are available securely via our booking partner ATG Tickets. Click the booking button on this page to see current availability, performance dates and times.