
Iconic BBC sitcom to return as musical 30 years after it was axed
REUNION Iconic BBC sitcom to return as musical 30 years after it was axed
ICONIC Beeb comedy The High Life will return with a song and a dance - as it's being turned into a musical.
The Scottish sitcom, which starred Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson, is being adapted for the stage 30 years after it was taken off air.
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The High Life is being turned into a musical.
Credit: PA
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Siobhan Redmond, Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, and Patrick Ryecart will all return.
Credit: PA
Cumming, 60, and Masson, 61, played hapless air stewards Sebastian Flight and Steve McCracken in the cult BBC series which only lasted for six episodes.
Siobhan Redmond, 65, who portrayed put-upon cabin crew member Shona Spurtle, and Patrick Ryecart, 72, who earned rave reviews as beleaguered pilot Captain Hilary Duff, will also return for The High Life: The Musical at Dundee Rep in spring 2026.
Cumming, who then appeared in Hollywood movies like X-Men and Eyes Wide Shut, said: 'National Theatre of Scotland has been asking us to do this for years.
"It had been on their slate for ages, but we just never got round to it.
'But we've both turned 60 that's part of the story.
"Some things never change, and our characters Sebastian and Steve don't.
'They still squeeze themselves into those lycra uniforms and I think that's part of the joy of it.'
Masson, who has enjoyed roles in EastEnders and The Crown, added: 'It's fantastic that the show is still remembered so fondly after just one series.
'The series on iPlayer just now, and it still stands up comedically.
'We were ahead of our time.
The Traitors season 3 cast officially selected as host Alan Cumming teases first-look from show's castle set in Scotland
"Our stuff was, and still is, very politically aware with a small 'p'.
'That's what's interesting about exploring the characters now because the world has changed and there are characters in the show who are slightly behind all that.
"It's so exciting to have them return.'
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