The High Life (musical)

The High Life
The Musical. Still Living It!
Music	Forbes Masson Alan Cumming (additional)
Lyrics	Alan Cumming Forbes Masson Johnny McKnight
Book	Alan Cumming Forbes Masson Johnny McKnight
Basis	The High Life by Alan Cumming Forbes Masson
Premiere	Spring 2026: Dundee Repertory Theatre
Productions	2026 Scotland tour

The High Life is an upcoming stage musical written by Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson and Johnny McKnight, based on Cumming and Masson's 1994 BBC TV sitcom of the same name. Directed by Andrew Panton, the world premiere production of The High Life is expected to open in Dundee at the Dundee Repertory Theatre in 2026. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

Background

The musical is based on the 1994 television series The High Life , by Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson. In 2023, it was revealed for the first time that a musical version of The High Life was being developed, ^[7] with a workshop held in 2024. ^[8]

Production

Scottish tour (2026)

The musical is set to have its world premiere co-produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Repertory Theatre (in association in association with Aberdeen Performing Arts and Capital Theatres) in March 2026 before touring to Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Eden Court Inverness and King’s Theatre, Glasgow. It will be directed by Andrew Panton and will star the original cast of the TV series reprising their roles; Alan Cumming as Sebastian Flight, Forbes Masson as Steve McCracken, Siobhan Redmond as Shona Spurtle and Patrick Ryecart as Captain Hilary Duff. ^{[9] [10] [11]}

Cast and characters

Character	Scottish tour
	2026
Sebastian Flight	Alan Cumming
Steve McCracken	Forbes Masson
Shona Spurtle	Siobhan Redmond
Captain Hilary Duff	Patrick Ryecart

References

1. "The High Life musical to tour – with original cast reuniting for 2026 run". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
2. "Alan Cumming to reprise iconic High Life role in major new 'unashamedly Scottish' musical 'romp'". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
3. "Alan Cumming and other original cast from The High Life reuniting for musical". independent.co.uk. The Independent. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
4. "Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson on The High Life musical". heraldscotland.com. The Herald. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
5. "Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson to star in The High Life musical". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
6. "The High Life Musical to Tour Scotland in 2026, Starring Alan Cumming". playbill.com. Playbill. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
7. "The High Life set to fly again as a musical". comedy.co.uk. British Comedy Guide. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
8. "Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson start work on a stage adaptation of 90s sitcom The High Life". glasgowworld.com. Glasgow World. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
9. "The High Life musical to tour – with original cast reuniting for 2026 run". 2025-05-28. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
10. "Cumming and Masson board return flight of The High Life". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
11. "The High Life Still Livin It". nationaltheatrescotland.com. National Theatre of Scotland . Retrieved 29 May 2025.