We’re thrilled to announce the full cast who will be stepping aboard Air Scotia in The High Life – The Musical, Still Living It! next year. Based on the 1990’s TV show, this revival sees our iconic characters finding themselves growing older in an ever-changing world.

After a 30-year delay in the departure lounge all four original cast members - Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart aka Sebastian Flight, Steve McCracken, Shona Spurtle and Captain Hilary Duff for this new musical spectacular which tours Scotland in spring 2026; opening at Dundee Rep Theatre for a sold out run ahead of touring to the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Eden Court, Inverness, and King’s Theatre, Glasgow.

They are joined onstage by Louise McCarthy, Kyle Gardiner, Rachael Kendall Brown, Ross Baxter, Lauren Ellis-Steele, Ciara Flynn and Grant McIntyre.

Director Andrew Panton said

"Having been a High Life fan right from take-off in 1994, it’s been a total joy to work with Alan, Forbes, Johnny and this amazing team of pure talent. Our development time together has been a riot of creative energy, hilarity and brilliant music and songs and I feel sure our new stage musical will appeal to both fans of the TV show and folks new to The High Life! I’m thrilled that we’re creating the show at Dundee Rep Theatre and I can’t wait to welcome this extraordinary cabin crew of Scottish musical theatre talent aboard before it jets off to entertain audiences across Scotland."  

The High Life is a creative collaboration between trailblazing, multi-award-winning artist Alan Cumming (US Traitors, X2 and Avengers: Doomsday and Cabaret on Broadway) and his long-time writing and performing partner, prolific stage and screen actor and writer Forbes Masson (Only Child, The Crown, Eastenders).  

Siobhan Redmond reprises her TV role as the iconic Shona Spurtle on stage. Siobhan has worked extensively in theatre, film and television and is known most recently for appearances in Two Doors Down, Death in Paradise and Rain Dogs. She is joined on board by Patrick Ryecart as the absent-minded Captain Hilary Duff. Patrick’s screen credits include The Crown, Poldark and The King’s Speech.  

Joining the original cast is Louise McCarthy as Heather Argyll, Kyle Gardiner as Mylie and Rachael Kendall Brown as Kylie. Louise McCarthy is currently appearing in the Tron Theatre’s panto Gallus in Weegieland and previously was seen on Scottish stages in Wild Rose (Royal Lyceum Theatre). She is also known to audiences from the Scottish BAFTA winning Scot Squad. She most recently worked with National Theatre of Scotland in Orphans, and previously appeared in My Left Right Foot, Yer Granny and Men Should Weep.  

Kyle Gardiner recently appeared in Restless Natives The Musical touring Scotland and as the titular Wullie in Oor Wullie at Dundee Rep. He previously worked with National Theatre of Scotland on the Scottish tour of Moorcroft (co-produced with Tron Theatre) and The Panopticon.  

Rachael Kendall Brown has just finished Get Down Tonight at the Charing Cross Theatre, where she took over the lead role of 'Dee', having previously understudied the role. Previous credits include the UK tour of Pretty Woman.  

Completing the crew, the ensemble features Ross Baxter, Lauren Ellis-Steele, Ciara Flynn and Grant McIntyre.  

Ross Baxter toured Scotland earlier this year in Restless Natives The Musical, and is currently appearing in Snow White at Eden Court, Inverness.  

Lauren Ellis-Steele appeared on Scottish stages in Noisemaker and A Play, a Pie and a Pint’s SCOTS, previous credits include the UK and Ireland tour of Wicked and the BBC Northern Ireland series 6Degrees.  

Ciara Flynn is a Scottish performer, who has toured in Girl’s Night OOT and Girl’s Night OOT 2, Mother Goose at the Ayr Gaiety and Maw Goose at Macroberts Arts Centre in Stirling.  

Grant McIntyre appeared in Dundee Rep’s Oor Wullie as a performer and the associate choreographer, and in National Theatre of Scotland’s Maggie & Me. Previous credits include SCOTS and The Addams Family UK Tour.  

The High Life features story, script and lyrics by Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson and Johnny McKnight. Directed by Andrew Panton in a co-production with Dundee Rep Theatre, this brand new musical features new and original music composed by Forbes Masson with additional music by Alan Cumming.

A first listen to the musical was released earlier in the year and can be watched here.

Full tour dates, production credits and booking info here.