Review: The High Life, the musical | Premiere - Dundee Rep Theatre
- Lisa in the theatre
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson's cult 90's sitcom The High Life makes the leap from TV screen to stage in a brand-new comedy musical. The show tours to theatres across Scotland this Spring following a dazzling world premiere Dundee Rep. Read my review from the opening night of The High Life the musical below.
The High Life the musical ★★★★★
Review: 2 April 2026 | Dundee Rep Theatre
Please ensure your seatbelt is safely fastened and that tray tables are in the upright position. The chaotic crew of Air Scotia are back and this time they have their own musical.
The High Life the musical is based on Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson's cult Scottish sitcom The High Life. The short-lived TV series ran for a mere six episodes in 1994, but it is so loved by people of a certain age in Scotland (me included) that excitement levels for the new stage adaptation are sky-high.
Back in the 90s I was ecstatic to discover a comedy show on my (tiny) television screen that was not only Scottish and brilliant, but set just up the road at Prestwick Airport. As I watched the cabin crew leap and twirl across the tarmac to the impossibly catchy theme tune, I was transfixed. That iconic theme tune has lived in my head for 30 years; hearing it is like a Pavlovian response that something joyous is about to happen.
And this time was no different! The High Life stage musical starts with a bright, captivating, Broadway-esque opening number set to that iconic theme tune. I grinned immediately and I'm still grinning now, hours later, as I write this review. The tone for the stage musical comedy caper is set from the second that it takes off, leaving the audience in no doubt that flight they have boarded will be a fun one.
A first-class original score
Thankfully, Forbes Masson's magnificent music features heavily in the new stage show, with the excellent live band respectfully visible on stage throughout. While The High Life musical does predominantly lean into its comedy roots, Masson's orchestrations are a highlight. With lyrics by Masson, Cumming and panto-legend Johnny McKnight, the original score is inspired and perfectly suited to the show. Every song is memorable, and they each have a purpose that progresses the story.
The reboot of the 30-minute, episodic TV comedy never loses sight of the fact that it's now a full-scale musical theatre production, and joyfully, each musical number is accompanied by Emily-Jane Boyle's lively choreography which the excellent ensemble company throw themselves into with energy and enthusiasm.
Oh dearie me!
The story for The High Life musical is clever, fresh and takes Air Scotia to places far beyond the confines of Prestwick Airport. Air Scotia is at risk of being taken over by a large, corporate, British company - boo! The air crew, including Kylie - the new generation of cabin crew (an excellent Rachael Kendall Brown) - and fragile new intern Miley (a superb Kyle Gardiner) must work together to save their jobs and their passengers from the horrors of corporate air travel.
Director Andrew Panton nails the landing with a perfectly judged mix of story, comedy and songs. With a confidently relaxed vibe, The High Life musical has an almost late-night cabaret feel to it. The pacing is perfect and the tone, although ludicrous at times, is perfectly judged and in keeping with the original material.
With Scotland's finest pantomime writer, preeminent Panto Dame and general chaos demon Johnny McKnight joining Cumming and Masson's writing team, The High Life musical sizzles with sharp pop culture references and McKnight's trademark piercing digs at anyone and anything in the public eye. I can hear McKnight's voice all through the script, and it's the perfect fit with the already fully formed, hysterical characters created by Cumming and Masson.
Fronting the show themselves, Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson are both exceptional as they reprise their roles as neurotic flight attendants Sebastian Flight and Steve McCracken respectively. The fourth wall simply does not exist for them as they gloriously play up to, and feed off of, the audience; and much like in a panto, involve the audience in various playful ways throughout the show.
Sebastian and Steve's nemesis, senior air stewardess Shona Spurtle, also returns to Air Scotia with Siobhan Redmond exquisite as the terrifying tyrant. I don't always understand the intention behind Patrick Ryker's surreal Captain Hilary Duff's wacky escapades, but it's all played-knowingly, with the other characters on stage joining the audience in shrugging their shoulders as if to say, "what the hell just happened there?!"
The glorious fab four "legacy cast" are supported by an outstanding ensemble of Scottish theatre talent, with the great Louise McCarthy once again excelling with her staggering display of physical comedy.
Utterly sublime
As you would expect from a National Theatre of Scotland production, the production values for The High Life on stage are first-class. But Grant Anderson's sensational lighting is a character of its own, adding bright, colourful accents to every scene. The blazing concert lighting that surrounds the stage elevates the visuals to another level and should help the show pop in larger venues later on the Scottish tour. Likewise, Tom Penny's sound design is note perfect, showcasing a flawless mix of music and vocals.
My expectations for The High Life the musical were huge, and I've never been so relieved that they have not only been met, but exceeded. It's as if the best Johnny McKnight panto and The High Life TV series have birthed an uproarious, ingenious, nostalgic, musical theatre child.
The High Life the musical is over-acted, silly and utterly sublime. There isn't anything else like it. Set your funny bones to autopilot and sit back and enjoy the ride. A soaring achievement. ★★★★★
The High Life The Musical is at Dundee Rep Theatre until 4th April and then tours to Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, back to Dundee and finally Glasgow. Find the full dates and more info at www.nationaltheatrescotland.com
More cast info: The High Life cast announcement
More coming up from the National Theatre of Scotland:
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