The High Life – The Musical – Dundee Rep and Touring

Forbes Masson, Siobhan Redmond and Alan Cumming in The High Life – The Musical at Dundee Rep and Touring. Picture: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

The High Life – The Musical was reviewed at Dundee Rep where it continues until 4 April 2026. The tour continues until 23 May 2026.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

The High Life – high energy, high camp, sky’s the limit laughter.

This reunion of the ‘heritage cast’ from the beloved TV show features Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart creating new havoc as the personnel of Air Scotia. The characters translate beautifully onstage with great homage to the fact that these roles were first performed 32 years ago.

Cumming’s Sebastian is just as striking as he was back then – complete with a sky-high ebony quiff, matched by his partner of the airways Masson as Steve with alarmingly ginger hair. The repartee is every bit as funny as ever it was with precise timing to maximise every laugh.

Redmond is fabulous as Shona Spurtle, also sporting a dangerously flamboyant carefully coiffured mass of red hair. Her deadpan delivery is never less than hilarious. Rycart’s famously other-worldly Captain Hilary Duff is pitched so perfectly in his surreal juxtaposition that he actually makes the farce plot seem almost normal. His portrayal of Hannah Gordon will be really difficult to forget.

In writing a stage musical it’s crucial to strike the right balance of dialogue action and the songs. Written by Cumming, Masson and Johnny McKnight, the plot is highly comical. One-liners come so thick and fast, the laughter barely stops. Masson’s music, with additional music from Cumming, is full of character, pace and wit. Twelve original songs plus a few familiar tunes from the TV show keep the pace moving with an excellent band led by Sarah de Tute (also musical director).

The plot is concerned with the upcoming buyout of Air Scotia which is due to to be rebranded Air GB. The word is that the buyer and future boss will be on Flight 123 to Prestwick. Our heroes are primed to find out who the mystery buyer might be.

Joining the original cast is a hugely energetic ensemble along with new key characters. Kylie (Rachel Kendall Brown) is a superb crew member who struggles with anything that happened prior to the internet. Great performance, particularly in her scenes with Shona.

Mylie (Kyle Gardiner) has a gift of a role for him to stretch his wings as a performer, from the cowardly nuisance ‘in training’ to his character’s denouement as the plot progresses. Louise McCarthy is sensational as Heather, Steve’s lost love from all those years ago.

In a convoluted ‘twist’, the flight has to fly into the ‘Lower Largo Triangle’ – a bit like the Bermuda Triangle, but off the coast of Fife – and is forced to land on a tiny island. This section, featuring a three-way book-set revolve, seems a little bit ‘lost’ in more than one way, but it does offer several great songs. Also a chance for the ensemble to portray utterly bizarre characters.

Andrew Panton’s direction is playful, but underlined with great pace, disciplined timing and absolute clarity in telling the story while giving the audience a great time.

A show that will have you weeping with laughter, this is a must-see!

The High Life – The Musical is co-produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep Theatre in association with Aberdeen Performing Arts and Capital Theatres.

Fiona Orr