Trainspotting Live

There are several ways to capture the spectator and make her/his heart race: good acting, gripping story, fast pacing, music and props.
OR YOU CAN SIMPLY SHOUT IN THE PERSON'S FACE UNTIL YOU GET THE JOB DONE! People were screamed at one inch from their face, grossed out and smeared with fake poop, water spat/nebulised over them and more. I frankly found it cheap, like an horror movie with an overabundance of jumpscares.
This reminded me of bullying: most people laughed when someone was subjected to the provocations until it was their turn to be bullied, where they simply, uneasily, smiled.
Another example: a lady was told to get up and dance. She said no. She was commanded again to dance and again she said no. Two actors then took her drink away, and dragged her by her arms to centre stage where she stood petrified. The main actor then said "Are you afraid of being in front of people?" (no way, Sherlock!). This made the audience giggle and her smiling timidly.

It's a pity, as when the play actually started to move there was a very touching story to watch. The acting was solid, with the usual highs and lows, and you got to know better the flawed characters when reality hits them after the heroin's honeymoon period.
Like an application of the Stockholm Syndrome, first you were scared and then you were brought to empathise with your """kidnappers""" (three inverted commas for good measure).
Anyway the damage was done and I wasn't able to really care about the play anymore.

Another small point: I have already seen plays where there were multiple stages. In this setting there were two main areas at both ends of a long corridor with the patrons seated on both sides of the long walls. In the other shows I could see what was going on those stages but not during Trainspotting: the stages were far apart, in order to make room for more people between them, and since I was near one of the ends I could not see what was happening on the other one.

Ah, an ever smaller point: the title drop at the end was really cheesy.

Summing up, for years I wanted to go and see Trainspotting Live in Edinburgh but I cannot recommend it: there are other ways to engage with your audience which doesn't make them feel harassed.
Cheap.

Best show at the fringe amazing

Can't recommend this show enough! Totally griping -a very clever adaptation of the book and film. (Although disappointed the character Spud didnt make an appearance) Staging and immersive setting was fantastic.
Not for the faint hearted -full frontal nudity and graphic use of needles.. although for me the seating arrangement added a another level as was amazing to see the shocked faces of other audience members!
If you only see 1 show this festival this needs to be It!

incredible performances across the board. funny and intense in equal measures. if you love the film you'll love this, the actors are awesome and the setting is quality. would defo recommend