The National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep Theatre, in association with Aberdeen Performing Arts and Capital Theatres, have announced the world premiere of The High Life, a brand-new musical based on the cult 1990s BBC sitcom.
The production will reunite original cast members Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart, bringing their iconic characters back to the stage after three decades.
The High Life will tour Scotland from 28 March to 16 May 2026, opening at Dundee Rep Theatre before flying on to His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen, Festival Theatre in Edinburgh, and King’s Theatre in Glasgow.
The musical is a creative collaboration between Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson and Johnny McKnight, with music by Masson and additional music by Cumming. Direction comes from Dundee Rep’s Artistic Director Andrew Panton.
“Oh deary 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,” teases the synopsis. “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.”
Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson said:
“Never say never! We are both beyond excited to be donning those nylon slacks and crimpelene blazers and connecting with our inner trolly dollies after all these years. Returning to these characters alongside the genius that is Johnny McKnight has been a joyful experience and we can’t wait to share what madness we’ve come up with around Scotland!”
Johnny McKnight added:
“I am absolutely thrilled to join the Air Scotia cabin crew. I grew up watching The High Life, wishing that one day I could get to fly thirty thousand feet with Alan, Forbes, Siobhan and Patrick. I never believed that a reunion show would happen, let alone that I would get to be part of the team working on it. The bags are packed, the tena-man pants on, and I am ready for check in. Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the flight of a lifetime.”
Director Andrew Panton said:
“Having been a High Life fan right from take-off in 1994, it’s been a total joy to work with this amazing team of pure talent. Our development time together has been a riot of creative energy, hilarity and brilliant music and songs and I feel sure our new stage musical will appeal to both fans of the TV show and folks new to The High Life! I’m thrilled that we’re creating the show at Dundee Rep Theatre before it jets off to entertain audiences across Scotland.”
The creative team also includes Colin Richmond (Set & Costume Design), Emily Jane Boyle (Choreography), Sarah Travis (Musical Supervision), and Grant Anderson (Lighting Design).
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
