Trainspotting: The Musical has cancelled its UK tour after weak ticket sales, cutting short a run that was due to visit Glasgow, Aberdeen, Manchester, Sheffield and other cities from 19 October. The stage adaptation of Irvine Welsh's cult novel and film had already completed a London run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, with its final performance now set for 5 September. The cancellation highlights the financial pressures facing touring theatre productions amid a difficult economic climate for the arts.

The show's producers cited "the current economic climate" for lower than expected ticket sales, and said ticketholders would be contacted by their point of purchase for full refunds. Cast member and director Kieran Brown had earlier posted, in a message later deleted, that Edinburgh was "stuck on 19 per cent sales". Welsh, who wrote original songs for the musical with Stephen McGuinness alongside covers of Iggy Pop's 'Lust For Life' and Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day', had hoped the production would stand apart from conventional West End jukebox shows.