The High Life hits the high notes
“U Fur Coffee?”
Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson’s The High Life is to get a musical makeover in 2026, after thirty years in the waiting lounge in a new production from the National Theatre of Scotland.
Cumming and Masson will be reprising their roles as Sebastian Flight and Steve McCracken. They will be joined by original cast members Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart as Shona Spurtle and Captain Hilary Duff. The musical is co-written with Johnny McKnight, acclaimed writer and panto maker, and will be directed by Dundee Rep’s Andrew Panton.
Siobhan Redmond, Forbes Masson, Alan Cumming and Patrick Ryecart in The High Life. Original series available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
The High Life, The Musical, Still living it! is the first production announced for the National Theatre of Scotland’s 20th anniversary programme in 2026.
Set 30 years on from the original, the High Life musical will see Air Scotia sold off. Unless the intrepid cabin crew can prove they’re still fit for purpose it looks like the whole operation is for the scrap heap. Oh deary me!
In a flight for their livelihoods, the 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.
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First commissioned and broadcast by the BBC, The High Life was created by and featuring Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson. The originals are still available to view on iPlayer.
It was a launchpad to its creators’ long and illustrious careers. It has attracted cult status for its sharp wit, farcical storytelling and joyous buffoonery. Taking place in the fictional Air Scotia airline, it centres around air stewards Steve, Sebastian and Shona – the most useless cabin crew ever to push a drinks trolley while asking “U Fur Coffee?”.
The High Life The Musical development- Siobhan Redmond, Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, and Patrick Ryecart. Pic: NTS.
Announcing the new musical, 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!”
thrilled
Johnny McKnight added that he is 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,” he said.
“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.”
The High Life, The Musical, Still living it! will tour Scotland in Spring 2026, with previews and an opening performance at Dundee Rep Theatre from 28 March. It will tour to HMT Aberdeen, Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, Eden Court Inverness and finish up at the Glasgow King’s, closing on Saturday 16 May 2026.
Full details and dates of the tour will be announced at a later date.
Further details on the NTS website: nationaltheatrescotland.com.
Johnny McKnight. Pic NTS.
ENDS
