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The High Life – The Musical, Still Living It!

 
Joy Watters Review by Joy Watters 4 Published: 5 Apr 2026 Dundee Rep Show Dates: 27 Mar 2026-9 May 2026

Oh dearie me, it cannae be thirty years since The High Life flew on to Scottish TV screens for a short stop. The surreal sitcom introduced us to a quartet of Air Scotia staff, in cockpit and cabin, as they flew the exotic Prestwick–Gatwick route.

A wonderful new stage musical rating high on the bonkers scale

It was written by Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson, who played the two air stewards, uber camp, vitriolic Sebastian Flight and Steve McCracken, passionately pursuing flight attendant Heather.

Now the so sullied crew is back with a wonderful new stage musical rating high on the bonkers scale.

Johnny McKnight, Scotland’s prince of panto, joins the writing team of Cumming/Masson. It is a wonderful script, joke-rich from topical cracks to the silly, lewd, rude, infantile and sheer daft.

A panto isn’t just for Christmas, as The High Life hilariously demonstrates. Music and songs, dance and movement all come together on the travelator of entertainment.

Intrinsically Scottish, with what director Andrew Panton describes as a deep affection for characters who are gloriously flawed, this new creation has an excellent ensemble of comic actors, dancers and singers joining the original four.

All praise to Panton for bringing all the elements together, with each and every member of the cast excelling.

A great band under the baton of MD Sarah de Tute keeps the tunes coming as the plot (no spoilers from me) unfolds amidst Colin Richmond’s cleverly adaptable set.

The original four are at the heart of the hilarity. The Cumming/Masson double act is a joy as Sebastian and Steve navigate their complicated relationship.

The lovely Siobhan Redmond returns as senior stewardess Shona Spurtle, hilariously taking no nonsense from the boys as the dictator of the air, land and sea.

Patrick Ryecart excels as the totally unhinged pilot, clueless as to his whereabouts; he randomly pops up to reference Scots life of yesteryear.

Special mention to Louise McCarthy also, as Heather, Steve’s former love interest gone rogue. Another great comic performance.

Forget the BAFTAs, Alan, this is top of the DAFTAs.

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The Blurb:

After a 30-year delay in the departure lounge, The High Life returns in a new musical spectacular featuring all four original cast members - Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart.

Oh dearie me! Air Scotia has been sold, and unless our intrepid cabin crew can prove they’re still fit for purpose it looks like the future destination for Air Scotia is the scrap heap. In this flight for their lives, our cut-price cabin crew must get themselves (and their passengers) to their destination safely, testing their mettle and putting decades old friendships and rivalries finally to rest.

Based on the original much loved BBC Scotland cult comedy series, this revival sees our iconic characters finding themselves growing older in an ever-changing world. It’s wickedly funny, features new and original music, is stuffed full of camp silliness and is cleared for take-off.