Easier Said Than Done’s version of Irvine Welsh’s 2002 novel “Porno”, tells the satisfying yet disturbingly funny sequel to the Scottish classic “Trainspotting”. The audience reminisces of the past tales of Begbie, Spud, Renton and Sickboy as we see what has become of them 15 years later. Adapted by Davie Carswell and directed by Felix O’Brien, this play gives everything that “Trainspotting” lovers wanted and more. Running from 3rd-28th of August (except 15th and 22nd) at the Pleasance Beyond, this is a must-see for this year’s festival goers.
Chris Gavin opens the show playing the iconic role of Francis “Franco” Begbie and does not disappoint. Delivering a monologue that explains how he has spent the last 15 years in jail, festering in resentment towards his old friends and his plans for freedom on the outside world, at least until 7pm each night due to his ankle monitor. Gavin’s acting never falters as he delivers his performance with high energy, captivating the audience from the moment he walks on stage. The details in his voice and body really embody the psychopathic tendencies that make him instantly recognizable as Begbie before it is explicitly announced in the script.
Simon Weir plays the amoral, cocaine-driven, sickening Sickboy. As the only one of the men who has managed to truly turn his life around after filling his youth with heroin, Sickboy has moved back to Leith from London, running a bar and has big plans to start up a pornography business. Weir plays the dirty-minded character so well, commanding the audience’s attention as he swaggers onstage, casually snorting cocaine in broad daylight and humping anything that moves, in his quest the find something that fulfills his life. His purpose is to make the audience uncomfortable in a way that makes us all love to hate the infamous character of Sickboy is delivered successfully.
Lynette Beaton takes the stage as the only female actress playing some minor characters, but her performance really begins when she is introduced as Lizzie, the daughter of Constable Knox with a dirty mind that could (and does) rival Sickboy. Lizzie will stop at nothing to be a glamourous Hollywood actress and will manipulate anything that dares to hinder this dream. Beaton’s portrayal of such a strong female character is excellently jarring in comparison to the type of women we are so used to seeing onstage, and so the audience are in awe of this woman who takes charge of her own life and is so brazen about her sexuality. It was the breath of fresh air that the audience didn’t know they needed until Beaton supplied it. The character of Lizzie left a little to be desired though, in comparison with the male characters, this adaptation seems to have cut much of Lizzie’s development that is written into the original story by Irvine Welsh. However, Beaton performed a wonderful portrayal nonetheless.
Scott Kyle plays the “thieving, ginger c*nt”, better known to audiences as Mark Renton. The story shows Renton returning to Leith from Amsterdam to visit his dying mother and is caught up in the drama of the life he had left behind. With Begbie out of jail, Kyle plays a matured version of Renton, looking for redemption in his previous wrongdoings, in doing that he gains respect from the audience.
Kevin Murphy’s portrayal of the lonely, desperate, father of one, Spud was nothing below spectacular. Spud is in exactly the same place as he was when we left him in “Trainspotting”, ruined by his addiction with no idea how to get out of the mess he has made for himself. Murphy’s physical acting was the perfect compliment to the rest of the show as audiences hung onto every part of the character, every agitated move, every awkward shuffle, every pathetic attempt at a smile. With by far the most tragic storyline, Murphy shows us Spud’s inner turmoil as he sees his friends in a different stage of life, feeling as though he may never be anything more than a junkie who disappoints everyone around him. What makes us feel so sympathetic for the character is the way Murphy speaks to the audience, as though we must help him find the hope he needs to survive. A beautiful performance that leads the audience through an emotional rollercoaster.
Jim Brown performed as Constable Knox, the local officer who was willing to take advantage of his power as a police officer for his own gain. He serves as the antagonist that the characters need to rebel against, a man who represents everything the main characters oppose; the law and of course, Hearts FC.
The design of the set with simplistic yet diverse, consisting of a bar with a few tables and chairs to be utilised by all the characters. Having actors emerged from behind the audience allowed the actors to fully engage the audience from the moment we heard their footsteps. However, it is important to note that the size of the stage was surplus to the needs of the performance, risking drowning out the performance itself. Reducing the size of the set would have increased the focus on the actors and whilst it did not hinder the performance, doing so would have enhanced it.
This iconic show was everything that I had expected and lived up to the hype of its predecessor wonderfully. Hilariously nostalgic and provided closure to the lives of characters we have all grown to love and hate.
Get tickets for ‘Porno’ below:
Theatre Scotland 
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