Graphic artist reimagines cast of Still Game as characters from Trainspotting

A GRAPHIC artist has reimagined the cast of Still Game – as characters from Trainspotting.

This image – designed by Edinburgh-based Nial Smith – shows how things would look in the unlikely case the cast of the hit BBC comedy joined the characters of Irvine Welsh’s cult novel.

Both Trainspotting and Still Game are Scottish cultural phenomena but could hardly be more different.

Still Game is a comedy series set in Glasgow charting the misadventures of a gang of plucky pensioners.

Meanwhile, Trainspotting – whose sequel is one of the most eagerly awaited films of 2017 – is a dark portrayal of drug use in Edinburgh.

The original film became a classic on release in 1996 and is famed for its opening monologue where main character Renton – played by Crieff-born actor Ewan McGregor – advises viewers to “choose life”.

Artist Nial has now used the monologue as a template for the characters of Still Game.

He recommends: “Choose life. Choose luxury tobacco, slippers and wall-mounted televisions. Choose free buses, charity shops and sandwiches in the park. Choose ned-control and Midori liqueur. Choose afternoons at the bookies and winnin’ hee-haw. Choose flat Fusilier lager and barman abuse. Choose The Clansman. Choose Navid’s. Choose Craiglang.”

Nial said: “With Trainspotting 2 on its way, I was inspired to ‘mash up’ two Scottish legends – Still Game and Trainspotting.

“Big screen meets small screen, east meets west, young meets old.”

Nial put his latest poster up online with the Still Game cast giving it a public endorsement.

Nial shot to fame in 2013 when he designed a poster of Andy Murray as Crocodile Dundee/Dunblane to promote the Australian Open with the tagline: “He’s here for your trophy… and your Sheilas.”