Latest news with #ForbesMasson
Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson reunite in The High Life musical
The original cast of hit Scottish sitcom The High Life are to reunite after 30 years for a new musical based on the legendary BBC Scotland comedy. Siobhan Redmond, Forbes Masson, Alan Cumming and Patrick Ryecart will star in The High Life The Musical – Still Living It, the first production announced, for the National Theatre of Scotland's 20th anniversary programme in 2026. Continue reading here Like this: Like Related
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic BBC sitcom to return as musical 30 years after it was axed
The series only lasted for six episodes during its first run. 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. 2 The High Life is being turned into a musical. Credit: PA 2 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.'
STV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
Alan Cumming and other original cast from The High Life reuniting for musical
Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson are reuniting with other original members of The High Life cast to create a musical based on the 1990s TV show. The production will tour Scotland in spring 2026, almost three decades after the series was screened. All four original cast members – Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart will feature in the show. The High Life, first commissioned and broadcast by the BBC, centred on the crew of the fictional Air Scotia airline. In the musical Air Scotia has been sold and the crew is fighting for their future. The TV series was created by Cumming and Masson who have reunited to create the musical, joined in their creative collaboration by writer, performer and panto-maker Johnny McKnight and the artistic director of Dundee Rep, Andrew Panton. Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson said: '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 High Life was first introduced to TV audiences in an initial pilot in 1994 and then in a series of six episodes which were broadcast in early 1995. The series is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Johnny McKnight 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 30 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.' The new show is being presented by National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep Theatre in association with Aberdeen Performing Arts and Capital Theatres. It will tour to Dundee Rep Theatre, His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh and King's Theatre, Glasgow in Spring 2026. Andrew Panton said: 'Having been a High Life fan right from take-off in 1994, it's been a total joy to work with 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 before it jets off to entertain audiences across Scotland.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Alan Cumming and other original cast from The High Life reuniting for musical
Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson are reuniting with other original members of The High Life cast to create a musical based on the 1990s TV show. The production will tour Scotland in spring 2026, almost three decades after the series was screened. All four original cast members – Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart will feature in the show. The High Life, first commissioned and broadcast by the BBC, centred on the crew of the fictional Air Scotia airline. In the musical Air Scotia has been sold and the crew are fighting for their future. The TV series was created by Cumming and Masson who have reunited to create the musical, joined in their creative collaboration by writer, performer and panto-maker Johnny McKnight and the artistic director of Dundee Rep, Andrew Panton. Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson said: '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 High Life was first introduced to TV audiences in an initial pilot in 1994 and then in a series of six episodes which were broadcast in early 1995. The series is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Johnny McKnight 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 30 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.' The new show is being presented by National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep Theatre in association with Aberdeen Performing Arts and Capital Theatres. It will tour to Dundee Rep Theatre, His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh and King's Theatre, Glasgow in Spring 2026. Andrew Panton said: 'Having been a High Life fan right from take-off in 1994, it's been a total joy to work with 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 before it jets off to entertain audiences across Scotland.'
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
All to know about Alan Cumming's The High Life amid new play
Discussing the stage production, Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson (who also starred in the show) said: '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." They added that returning to these characters has been a "joyful experience" and that they can't wait to share what madness they've come up with around Scotland. What was the classic BBC sitcom The High Life about? The BBC comedy series followed the crew of a cut-price airline shuttle service between Prestwick Airport in Scotland and Heathrow Airport on the outskirts of London. In the stage version of the show, Air Scotia has been sold, and the crew must fight for their future. When did The High Life first air and how many seasons did it last? The High Life first aired all the way back in 1994 but was short-lived, remaining on our screens for a single season. Despite there only being seven episodes (including the pilot), the show's impact has been massive. The High Life first aired all the way back in 1994 (Image: National Theatre of Scotland/PA Wire) The main cast and crew for The High Life on the BBC This is the main cast and crew for the classic sitcom The High Life on the BBC. Cast Alan Cumming – Sebastian Flight Forbes Masson – Steve McCracken Siobhan Redmond – Shona Spurtle Patrick Ryecart – Captain Hilary Duff Recommended Reading: Crew Alan Cumming – Writer Forbes Masson – Writer Tony Dow - Director (pilot) Angela deChastelai Smith – Director (series) Tony Dow – Producer The High Life will return for a stage musical in the spring of 2026.
