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Behind The Curtain: An Interview with Trainspotting The Musical star Finlay Paul
- Harry Brogan
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
In this Behind the Curtain interview we speak to Trainspotting The Musical star Finlay Paul who plays Tommy ahead of its World Premiere this month at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London before heading out on a UK tour. We find out more about the creation of this musical adaption and how it feels to star in the musical adaption of this 90s film.
Finlay Trained at Guildhall School of Music and drama with credits including Othello (RSC); Oklahoma! (Wyndham’s Theatre); The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (Criterion Theatre); Booze (Thundercrack, New York); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (East London Shakespeare Festival); The Interpretation of Dreams (The Bunker). plus ark Harbour (Audible); Sober Companion (Merman); We The Young Strong; A Punk’s Progress (BBC Radio 4).
In your own words, how would you describe Trainspotting the musical?
I would describe it as totally authentic, alive, raw, primal and fun, with the most incredible mix of music in a show.
The film was released 30 years ago, why now would you say that it's important that Trainspotting the musical is staged in today's world rather than being staged years before?
I think addiction will always be a problem and is still in today's world. There are more things to be addicted to in 2026 than in the 90s, there's just more. We've got technology, we've got all these things. So, it's the same story, but I think it's maybe got a wider message being staged today: maybe we're watching a show about drugs but we can see that addiction manifests in similar ways for today's world as well.
The film was described as a breakthrough British film by The Guardian, how has it been during the creation of this world premiere musical adaptation of the film with such a big name attached to it?
The film is impossible to ignore, it is so iconic and we lean into that at times, which is amazing, but it's important to stress that this show also works as a standalone piece, which we thought was really important to get right.
So, we're paying respect and tribute in ways to the book and the film and that's our source material, but this piece works in its own right. If someone has never seen the film before or read the book, they can still come and watch the show and get the full story.
How does the musical take on the iconic choose life message through its music and lyrics?
It's a really good question. Well, the choose life thing, I hope it's and it will be when you see the play, but I think people maybe aren't as familiar with what that famous speech is about in pop culture.
It is a rejection of consumerism or Thatcherism or middle class or whatever you want to call it. The message of what ‘Choose Life’ means evolves throughout the musical. Choose life, it's like a cynical rejection. And by the end of the show, it's actually, do you know what, choose to live and choose to do the right thing. So, it kind of changes.
It's funny, now I say that, the music explores that. That aggressive response to
establishment at times. We've got songs about that, we've got songs about the kind of hope that people in dire situations need. You know, we explore the huge expansive songs about the feelings of being on these addictive substances. And then we end on the kind of iconic lust for life moment, which is, you know, go out there and live life to the fullest in a better way than you did before.
How would you say this production captures and balances the world of the 90s in a way that translates easily to a modern audience?
Oh, that's really quite seamless. In a lot of ways, the 90s is a different world, but it's not so far away. Again, it's that thing of, it's the same world, there's just more to do and maybe more to get wrong, in a way. In our world, you know, there's more ways to trip up and fall on your face and learn.
But in terms of the setting, it very much feels like you could be watching people on stage you could see in your pub or on the street or in your life today. It feels close enough in that way that it will really resonate.
Without giving too much away for fans of the book and film, what should they expect from a musical version in relation to what has changed during the adaptation?
It's completely true to the book and it has nods to the film. The book really is our source of, you know, our bible, if you like, and that's Trainspotting.
It also refers to Skag Boys, which follows the characters before the trainspotting happens. Our show gives the characters more space and more of a journey for you to see them in front of your eyes and develop as the story goes on. All the characters are flawed, which I think makes really interesting viewing. And they've all got their own individual battles that they're working with throughout the piece.
What are you most excited for when the show premieres in a couple of weeks?
I'm most excited for seeing how the audience reacts to a specific song in Act One. And I will say no more than that!
What would you say is your favourite 90s memory?
I was young in the 90s, so dancing to Westlife in my nappy
Describe the show in three words.
Electric, moving, feral.
Trainspotting The Musical run at Theatre Royal, Haymarket from 15 July and tours the UK from 19 October – 20 March. For tickets: Trainspottingthemusical.co.uk
