Spring 2026 sees the World Premiere of the beloved Scottish comedy series from the ‘90s, The High Life, presented by National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) and Dundee Rep Theatre in association with Aberdeen Performing Arts and Capital Theatres and is the first production announced for the NTS 20th anniversary programme in 2026.
The show features the dream team of all four original cast members of Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart in their respective roles as Sebastian Flight, Steve McCracken, Shona Spurtle and Captain Hilary Duff, and is directed by the award-winning Andrew Panton of Dundee Rep Theatre.
Cumming and Masson met at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1982 and formed the beloved comedy double act Victor and Barry, later transmogrifying the camp Kelvinside characters into Steve and Sebastian for The High Life, whichwas first commissioned and broadcast by the BBC and was a launchpad to its creators’ long careers. Taking place in the fictional Air Scotia airline, the show has attracted cult status for its sharp gallus wit, farcical storytelling and buffoonery. (The series is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer).
In this update, Air Scotia has been sold (Oh deary me!) and unless the 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, this cut-price cabin crew must get to their destination safely, testing their mettle and putting decades old friendships and rivalries finally to rest.
This collaboration between Masson, who provides the music, and Cumming, who provides additional music, is joined by writer, performer and panto-maker extraordinaire Johnny McKnight who said “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.”
Masson, who recently starred in the acclaimed solo performance of Jekyll and Hyde by leading Scottish playwright Gary McNair and multi-award-winning Cumming said in a joint statement “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!”
The production will tour Scotland in Spring 2026, with previews and opening performance at Dundee Rep Theatre from 28th March, then touring to HMT Aberdeen; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh; Eden Court Theatre and King’s Theatre Glasgow until 16th May 2026.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 