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44-47 Gardner Street, Brighton. BN1 1UN

Irvine Welsh: Can Nothing Save Us

Sat 19 Sep 2026

2:00 PM (Doors: 1:00 pm)

Book Tickets

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JOY. CONCERTS PRESENT: 

Irvine Welsh: Can Nothing Save Us

Celebrating the release of the new novel & talking Trainspotting.

Irvine Welsh was born in the great city of Edinburgh and matured in the housing schemes of Leith, West Pilton and Muirhouse. Neither school nor conventional employment appealed, but he was inspired to write after experiencing the explosions of Punk and Rave first hand. Trainspotting, Welsh’s debut novel, was rejected from the Man Booker Prize shortlist, allegedly for offending the judges. It went on to sell over a million copies in the UK alone and was adapted into an iconic film by Danny Boyle, starring
Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle and Kelly Macdonald. Porno was adapted into T2:Trainspotting, a sequel that reunited the original cast and crew. Renton, Begbie, Sick Boy and Spud, the much-loved antiheroes of Trainspotting, inhabit a fictional universe based on Welsh’s experience of an inner-city Scotland blighted by Thatcherism and drug abuse. This universe has often been revisited in novels including Skagboys, The Blade Artist and A Decent Ride. It has been augmented by iconic characters from subsequent books, like Juice Terry, Post Alec, Jonty McKay and, trying to keep them (and themselves) in order, wayward cops Bruce Roberson and Ray Lennox.

Both of whom were played to devastating effect by James McAvoy in the movie Filth, and on TV, Dougray Scott in Crime. Now the author of fourteen novels, including the forthcoming Resolution, the third in the hit TV Crime series, and four books of shorter
fiction, Welsh enjoys a dedicated global readership and tweets prolifically, mainly about tennis and corrupt politicians. He serves as the Official Ambassador of the Homeless World Cup and works with local, national an international charities. He currently lives between Edinburgh, London and Miami. Irvine Welsh has been involved in dance music for most of his life, as a DJ and promoter and is a partner, with Carl Loben and Steve Mac, in the Brighton-based record label Jack Said What.


THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE KOMEDIA BASEMENT

UNRESERVED SEATING

AGES 14+ (UNDER 16s MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT)

MATINEE SHOW

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What people are saying...

Thank you for caring and being just lovely. Everyone I spoke to was just so friendly and helpful. It made a difference to my day and now I am familiar with the place, I will be back… Maybe with friends, but more confidently comfortable solo.

Just to say many, many thanks for your accommodations and accessible service. It really made a difference to me to know that the seating would be reserved and meet my needs and that there was no need to feel worried about it. The chosen seating was also suitable for my mobility needs which was very appreciated. So, just to say thanks. It really made a difference to my whole experience.

Everything was so accessible and with ease, we truly had such a lovely and comfortable time. It means a lot to have such a positive experience at a place we love. The comedy itself was incredible and we were cackling the entire time! This was my first night out of the house in months, thank you so very much for making it so joyful and comfortable. You are all brilliant!!!!!

My birthday at the Komedia was FANTASTIC. Your staff are all incredible and super friendly. Special shout out to Brogan who sorted out the band and DJs and was just so lovely. 10/10 all round.

One of the absolute best evenings to be had in Brighton. An institution going back more years than I care to think off. Have never ever had a bad night here

Great customer service from security at the door, to the server showing us to our seats. Venue was clean and had a great vibe, and the act was brilliant.

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and your amazing team for everything you all did to ensure last night’s show was a success!

Excellent venue… have never laughed so much! Nice bar food as well!

Great experience. Staff were friendly and helpful , venue excellent.

Thanks very much to all of you for hosting this – it was a great night!

It was my first time there, and definitely not the last…. the members of staff were helpful and welcoming…the venue was very nice.

Fantastic comedy venue, very accommodating to my disability requirements. Never seen a bad comedy show there yet … really good up and coming acts.

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