Tag: musical

The High Life – The Musical announces Full Cast

  • The cult BBC comedy series The High Life comes to Scottish stages as a brand-new musical, with Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson teaming up with writer Johnny McKnight and director Andrew Panton. 
  • Full cast announced, with original cast members Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart bringing their television roles to the stage joined by a cast of celebrated musical theatre performers including Louise McCarthy (Scot Squad,Wild Rose and The Scotts), Kyle Gardiner (Restless Natives and Oor Wullie) and Rachael Kendall Brown (Pretty Woman UK tour and Get Down Tonight). Full cast below.
  • A first listen of the new musical was released earlier this year and can be viewed here.
  • Touring Scotland in 2026, with performances in Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow

National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep Theatre in association with Aberdeen Performing Arts and Capital Theatres present

WORLD PREMIERE

The High Life. 
The Musical. 
Still Living it!

Story, Script and Lyrics by Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson and Johnny McKnight

Music by Forbes Masson, additional music by Alan Cumming 
Directed by Andrew Panton

Full cast – Ross Baxter, Rachael Kendall Brown, Alan Cumming, Lauren Ellis-Steele, Ciara Flynn, Kyle Gardiner, Forbes Masson, Louise McCarthy, Grant McIntyre, Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart

Colin Richmond – Set & Costume Designer; Emily Jane Boyle – Choreographer and Associate Director; Sarah Travis – Musical Supervisor; Grant Anderson – Lighting Designer; Tom Penny – Sound Designer; Sarah de Tute – Musical Director; Natasha Volley – Associate Choreographer; Ross Brown – Music Technology; James Gorman – Orchestral Manager; Michael Howell – Casting Director

Touring Scotland from Friday 27 March until Saturday 23 May 2026.

World premiere at Dundee Rep Theatre then touring to Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Eden Court, Inverness, returns to Dundee Rep Theatre and King’s Theatre, Glasgow.

Opening performance at Dundee Rep Theatre on 2 April 2026.

After a 30-year delay in the departure lounge, The High Life returns in a new musical spectacular featuring all four original cast members – Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart akaSebastian Flight, Steve McCracken, Shona Spurtle and Captain Hilary Duff.

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

The production will tour Scotland in Spring 2026, with previews and opening performance at Dundee Rep Theatre from 27 March, then onward touring to Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, HMT Aberdeen, Eden Court Theatre, returns to Dundee Rep Theatre and King’s Theatre Glasgow until 23 May 2026.

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). The creative team is joined by celebrated writer, performer and panto-maker Johnny McKnight (Wendy Hoose, Radiant Vermin, River City) and the award-winning and internationally acclaimed Artistic Director of Dundee Rep, Andrew Panton (Make It Happen, August: Osage County, No Love Songs, A History of Paper).

Oh dearie me! Air Scotia has been sold, and unless our intrepid cabin crew can prove they’re still fit for purpose it looks like the future destination for Air Scotia is the scrap heap. In this flight for their lives, our cut-price cabin crew must get themselves (and their passengers) to their destination safely, testing their mettle and putting decades old friendships and rivalries finally to rest.

The High Life was first commissioned and broadcast by the BBC, created by and featuring Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson. It was a launchpad to its creators’ long and illustrious careers. Since airing in the 90s it has attracted cult status for its sharp wit, farcical storytelling and joyous buffoonery. Taking place in the fictional Air Scotia airline, it centres around air stewards Steve, Sebastian and Shona – the most useless cabin crew ever to push a drinks trolley while asking ‘U Fur Coffee?”.

This revival sees our iconic characters finding themselves growing older in an ever-changing world. It will feature new and original music, is stuffed full of camp silliness and is cleared for take-off.

MEET THE CABIN CREW

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) after featuring in the original film which inspired the stage show. She is also known to audiences from the Scottish BAFTA winning Scot Squad. She most recently worked with National Theatre of Scotland in 2022 for the musical adaptation of Peter Mullan’s 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.

A first listen at the musical was released earlier in the year and can be watched here. It has already amassed 276k views across National Theatre of Scotland social platforms. 

Vue marks a decade of award-winning musical Hamilton with big screen anniversary

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the beloved Broadway phenomenon, Vue is bringing the award-winning Hamilton to the big screen this September.

From 26 September, for three days only, the global stage sensation heads to the big screen at Vue venues in Edinburgh, telling the story of one of America’s foremost founding fathers Alexander Hamilton. The screening brings the show straight from the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway and features the original cast.

Created by and starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, the production first hit stages back in 2015 and since has toured the world, winning over worldwide audiences with iconic and award-winning songs such as Alexander Hamilton and My Shot.  

This groundbreaking musical, which packs a score of more than 40 songs in total, can be experienced on the big screen, allowing theatre fans to enjoy all of their favourite moments in this fully immersive experience, all from the comfort of their local Vue. 

Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh Ocean, said: “Since it rocked the theatre world over 10 years ago, Hamilton has gone on to be a legendary musical that fans always eagerly want to see.

“At Vue this month, we’re thrilled to provide audiences a fantastic way to watch this iconic production, complete with the original Broadway cast, up on the big screen for a limited time.”

Tickets are available at www.myvue.com.

First look at Restless Natives: The Musical

Hotly-anticipated stage adaptation premieres in Perth prior to Scottish tour

  • Kirsty MacLaren, Kyle Gardiner and Finlay McKillop lead a multi-talented ensemble as legendary outlaws the Clown and the Wolfman take to the road once again
  • A hilarious and heartfelt new musical, produced and directed by the team behind the original cult-classic Scottish film with Perth Theatre, and music inspired by songs and themes of the legendary band Big Country
  • The show premieres at Perth Theatre tonight and runs until 10 May, before a Scotland-wide tour including Stirling, Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh, & Glasgow until 28 June.

Restless Natives: The Musical kicks off its long-awaited Scottish tour this weekend, with the first production pictures giving a look at the show that will thrill and delight audiences across Scotland this Spring.

Produced and directed by the same team who made the cult classic 1985 film, alongside co-producers Perth Theatre, Restless Natives: The Musical sees the iconic outlaw duo the Clown and the Wolfman ride again in a new stage musical. Recapturing the film’s winning humour and enduring heart, and featuring music inspired by the songs and spirit of Big Country, the show will delight devotees of the original film – and capture the hearts of a new generation.

Rebelling against their drab urban lives in 1980s Wester Hailes, intrepid underdogs Ronnie and Will become Highland Highwaymen, holding up buses and winning international renown while fleecing tourists with Scottish charm and panache. Tour guide Margot believes these Robin Hood heroes can restore national pride, but the police are closing in. Will this be the end of the story – or the beginning of a legend?

Leading the cast as Ronnie and Will, AKA The Clown and The Wolfman, are young stars Kyle Gardiner and Finlay McKillop, with Olivier-nominated Kirsty MacLaren co-starring as Margot. The multi-talented ensemble cast also includes Ross Baxter, Robin Campbell, Ailsa Davidson, Caroline Deyga, Stuart Edgar, Sarah Galbraith, Ava MacKinnon, Alan McHugh, and Harry Ward.

Restless Natives: The Musical premiered at Perth Theatre on Saturday 26 April where it runs until Saturday 10 May.

The show then hits the road for a tour to selected Scottish venues including Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling, His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen, Eden Court in Inverness, Leith Theatre in Edinburgh, and The King’s Theatre in Glasgow.

Full production info at www.restlessnativesthemusical.com

Edinburgh Days: Play Your Part!

HAVE YOU EVER FANCIED BEING IN A BIG MUSICAL?

Bob Tomson, the internationally acclaimed director of West End and touring musicals ‘BLOOD BROTHERS’, ‘GHOST THE MUSICAL’, ‘EVITA’, and ‘JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’ has partnered up with Clermiston born Brian Spence to stage his new Scottish Musical ‘EDINBURGH DAYS’ at this year’s Fringe Festival.

The director and composer are giving their talents for free to this project, and are looking for actor/singers from our talented community to come and hopefully join them. The musical is set in the 19th century ‘auld toon’ and is a twisted romance of possession and betrayal.

Would any actor/singers, who’ve always fancied being in an epic musical, be interested in trying out for the specially created Community Theatre Company – ‘Belt Of Celt’?  

Or, if you’d prefer to use your talents ‘backstage’, then this World Premiere production is also offering opportunities for associate directors, talented stage managers and wardrobe crew to join the team.  

The friendly workshop auditions and meetings will be held at St Bride’s Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, Dalry, EH11 2DZ each evening from 6.45pm – 8.45pm Monday 3rd March, Tuesday March 4th, and Wednesday March 5th.  

This will be a lively and enjoyable chance to meet and work creatively with this West End and Broadway director, and experience more of the composer’s original and powerful music.

Here’s a little bit about the two creatives:  

Bob is a BAFTA, OLIVIER and TONY Award nominee, his productions have been regular visitors to Edinburgh and you may perhaps have seen some.  BLOOD BROTHERS (2024) ‘outstanding – an unforgettable experience’ (*****Scottish Field); ‘Live Theatre just doesn’t get any better than this!’ (*****Daily Record); ‘Tomson ensures that every emotional beat lands…This production with its stellar performances packs a powerful punch’ (*****Theatres Scotland).

GHOST THE MUSICAL (2024) ‘One of the best musicals I’ve seen in years, if I could give this show six stars, I would’ (*****Musical Theatre Review); ‘even more spectacular than the original film’ (*****Glasgow Times); ‘extremely impressive…utterly magical’ (*****Glasgow World); ‘This feels like the real deal… A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining night out’ (****AllEdinburghTheatre.com)

Brian, the Clermiston-born composer, has collaborated with Bob on three other musicals – Jeannie Skye, recently work-shopped by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Picnic at Hanging Rock which played at the Chichester Festival Theatre, and finally StreetDreams performed by the Guildford School of Acting. 

He has written many original songs for such diverse singing talent as Michael Ball, Rosetta Stone, The Pet Shop Boys, Dusty Springfield and Ben Forster (winner of ITV’s ‘Superstar’ competition). 

Just contact them on info@edinburghdays.co.uk for all the details to make your big musical dreams come true! 

Leith Theatre and Restless Natives hit the big time

The Clown and The Wolfman Ride into Leith Theatre 

Leith Theatre is proud to reveal it will be the Edinburgh home of Restless Natives: The Musical. 

The brand-new stage version of the classic Scottish film will kick off a three-month summer programme of theatre, music and film co-commissioned by Restless Natives’ producers, Andy Paterson and Wild Yak Productions, and the Leith Theatre Trust team. 

Welcoming audiences back into the venue is a significant milestone for Leith Theatre. This curated collaboration will offer a rare and exciting chance to enter the faded grandeur of a theatre that has remained largely the same since opening in 1932. This pop-up summer season will be a unique opportunity for audiences to glimpse at the theatre’s future while it continues on its journey towards restoration. 

Original Restless Natives screenwriter and now lyricist, Ninian Dunnett, director Michael Hoffman and composer Tim Sutton, inspired by Big Country songs and themes, will open the season by delivering a not-to-be-missed full stage musical designed to delight devotees of the original movie and capture the hearts of a new generation. 

A charming sense of national pride is built as intrepid underdogs Ronnie and Will become Highland Highwaymen, holding up buses and winning international renown, fleecing tourists with panache, with all the quirky idiosyncratic fun coming to Leith Theatre’s raked stage in June 2025. 

Although the Trust have operated on a pop-up basis in the past bringing a wide range of cultural activity, the creative focus has more recently been within the TV and film industry hosting a large number of shoots and productions. Excitingly, this will be the first theatre production to make Leith Theatre its home since 2018. 

Restless Natives: The Musical will commence a summer 2025 programme, providing audiences with a chance to enjoy live cultural experiences in this iconic heritage venue while supporting Leith Theatre’s preservation. 

Restless Natives producer Andy Paterson is thrilled to see the musical leading the summer programming for the venue: “We are so inspired by the Trust’s vision for this incredible building.

” Our memories of shooting key scenes from the film just a few hundred yards away on the Western Harbour make this new partnership all the more special.

“We can’t wait to bring the Clown and the Wolfman back to their actual and spiritual home in Edinburgh.”   

By partnering with Restless Natives, Leith Theatre Trust will shine a spotlight on the building’s history and restoration journey and bring an exciting cultural experience to the stage that fits with all of the film, music and theatre connections that already make up the venue’s heritage.  

Will this be the end of the story or the beginning of a legend? 

Lynn Morrison, Chief Executive from Leith Theatre Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce Leith Theatre as the Edinburgh venue and to work in partnership to deliver this incredible three-month summer season, starting with Restless Natives: The Musical.

“Despite the challenges posed by our building’s health, we remain committed to being at the heart of cultural life in Leith. This theatre adaptation blends theatre, film and music which is everything we love, and we couldn’t be prouder to welcome this exciting crossover and summer opportunity to our venue.” 

Andy Paterson, who was one of the producers of the film and lead producer on Restless Natives: The Musical, said: “The moment we walked into Leith Theatre we had a feeling that we’d come home.

“The unique atmosphere and personality of the venue chimed with Ninian’s story. Both embody the resilience, the spirit of Scottish community, a sense of perseverance and solidarity – and the belief that with the right values and serious ambition, you can make something great.”  


Hit podcast to stream live from Vue venues in Edinburgh next week  

A hit podcast, a legendary musical and a modern ballet will all be screening from Vue this May.  

Starting with Help I Sexted My Boss (14 May), William Hanson and Jordan North will be broadcasting live from the London Palladium in this brand-new show. 

Entertaining listeners around the world, Help I Sexted My Boss has amassed more than 50 million listens since launching over six years ago. From very different backgrounds, watch on as the comedy duo help listeners navigate the challenges of modern life. 

Also coming next week (16 and 19 May) is the legendary musical theatre classic 42nd Street, which tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes who gets her big break on Broadway.  

Filmed live at the magnificent Theatre Royal in the heart of London’s West End, it stars national treasure Bonnie Langford as Dorothy Brock and features iconic songs 42nd Street, We’re In The Money and Lullaby of Broadway.  

Arriving on the big screen at Vue on 22 May is The Winter’s Tale from the Royal Ballet. It tells the story of King Leontes, who is crippled with an all-consuming jealousy when his friend King Polixenes of Bohemia stays with him and his wife Hermione. 

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this season, The Winter’s Tale is an award-winning modern ballet classic, packed with emotional turmoil heightened by Joby Talbot’s compelling score and Bob Crowley’s atmospheric designs. 

Robert Smith, General Manager for Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: “Here at Vue, we pride ourselves on showcasing so much more than the biggest blockbusters – giving fans from all walks of life the chance to catch some of the best life performances from the comfort of their local Vue venue.” 

For more information and to book tickets, visit myvue.com.  

Sunshine on Leith auditions

** OPEN AUDITIONS **

The Brunton, in association with David Ross and Tommie Travers, is delighted to announce open auditions for an exciting new amateur production of SUNSHINE ON LEITH – one of Scotland’s most popular and successful musicals.

Written by Stephen Greenhorn and with songs by The Proclaimers, SUNSHINE ON LEITH will be overseen by a professional creative team and will be staged at The Brunton from Wednesday 16th – Saturday 19th February 2022, six performances in total.

Auditions take place at The Brunton on Saturday 30th October, between 2pm – 6pm and Sunday 31st October, between 12noon – 4pm.

Applicants will be allocated a 5-minute audition slot on their chosen date, on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must be aged 18 or over and must also be available to rehearse on Tuesday evenings, from 7pm – 9pm, approx.

To register your interest, or for more information, please email: SunshineAtTheBrunton@gmail.com

We strongly encourage adults of all ages and backgrounds to audition.

This is an amateur production, presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International

EIFF presents a Special Preview screening of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Edinburgh International Film Festival is delighted to announce that the 74th edition of the Edinburgh International Film Festival will host a unique screening of the eagerly awaited film adaptation of the award-winning hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

The film will have its Special Preview screening at the Festival Theatre – a ‘coming home’ of sorts – where the stage musical was the last show to play before the March 2020 lockdown.

On Friday 20 August, the EIFF screening which will be accessed by the public using an EIFF first ‘Pay-What-You-Can’ model will be preceded by a unique and inclusive outdoor celebration event in St Andrew Square Edinburgh’s Talking About Jamie.

EIFF is also delighted to reveal that Jamie Campbell and his mother Margaret, the subjects of the original documentary that inspired the musical will be attending the screening and festivities.

Inspired by true events, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is the film adaptation of the award-winning hit musical from London’s West End, about Jamie New (newcomer Max Harwood), a teenager in a blue-collar English town with a dream of life on stage.

While his classmates plan their livelihoods after graduation, Jamie contemplates revealing his secret career ambition as a fierce and proud drag queen. His best friend Pritti (Lauren Patel) and his loving mom (Sarah Lancashire) shower him with endless support while local drag legend Miss Loco Chanelle (Richard E. Grant) mentors him toward his debut stage performance.

But it’s not all rainbows for Jamie as his unsupportive dad (Ralph Ineson), an uninspired career advisor (Sharon Horgan), and some ignorant school kids attempt to rain on his sensational aspirations. In rousing and colourful musical numbers, Jamie and his community inspire one another to be more accepting, and to see the value in facing adversity stepping out of the darkness into the spotlight.

In true Jamie style Edinburgh International Film Festival is inviting everybody to an event to celebrate being themself at St Andrew Square, Edinburgh’s Talking About Jamie.

The evening will kick off with drag queen entertainment and cocktails. Those dressed to impress will be in with a chance of prizes for the best outfits.

Tickets are free to Edinburgh’s Talking About Jamie and must be booked in addition to tickets to the Special Preview screening at Festival Theatre.

The iconic Edinburgh square will also be home to EIFF’s Film Fest in the City, a series of free outdoor screenings delivered in partnership with Essential Edinburgh.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie stars newcomer Max Harwood, Sarah Lancashire, Lauren Patel, Shobna Gulati, Ralph Ineson, Adeel Akhtar, Samuel Bottomley, with Sharon Horgan and Richard E. Grant.

The stage production’s director, Jonathan Butterell, makes his feature-film debut as director, with screenplay and lyrics by Tom MacRae, songs by Dan Gillespie Sells and a score composed by Sells and Anne Dudley. Mark Herbert, p.g.a., Peter Carlton, p.g.a., and Arnon Milchan are producing, with Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer, Natalie Lehmann, Daniel Battsek, Ollie Madden, Peter Balm, Niall Shamma and Jes Wilkins serving as executive producers.

The film features hit songs from the stage show including ‘And You Don’t Even Know It’, ‘The Wall In My Head’ and ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ as well as an exclusive new song ‘This Was Me’, performed by Holly Johnson, lead singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

The original musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has quickly become one the most beloved musicals of recent years.

Premiering at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, before transferring to London’s Apollo Theatre, the production was an overnight success amongst audiences and critics, receiving rave reviews and garnering five Olivier Award nominations.

The show was also honoured at the UK Theatre Awards with Best Musical Production, with its star John McCrea named Best Musical Performer.

The stage show joyfully reopened its doors in May 2021 in London’s Apollo Theatre – the first musical in the West End to do so, before the UK tour recommences in September 2021 visiting 24 UK cities including Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre again from Tuesday 29 March to Saturday 2 April 2022.

Jonathan Butterell, Director of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie said: “I am thrilled to be presenting Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Edinburgh International Film Festival as a Special Preview, a city that early spring last year, just before the national lockdown, embraced the stage musical so enthusiastically!

“I am also delighted to hear about the plans for Edinburgh’s Talking About Jamie celebrations and cannot wait to see Edinburgh putting its best frock on and get singing!”

Nick Varley, Lead Guest Programmer of Edinburgh International Film Festival added: “Has Sheffield ever looked so glamourous? Everyone’s Talking About Jamie has all the ingredients of a classic feel good musical, proving that being yourself and following your dream always triumphs over adversity.

“After a year of lockdowns we all need a reason to have fun and Jamie provides it in spades. We are delighted to present it as our Special Preview screening.”

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be exclusively released on Prime Video on 17th September 2021.

Join the Facebook event here.

The 74th edition of EIFF runs from 18 – 25 August 2021. The full programme will be announced on 28 July 2021.

#EdFilmFest

HAIR: Love and Peace comes to Edinburgh

Welcome to the ‘Age of Aquarius’. It’s 1967 and HAIR’s hippie ‘tribe’ youngsters in the East Village of New York are yearning to change the world, questioning authority and the American flag. Wild, colourful, sexually liberated and free, they are united in protest and song, under the shadow of the Vietnam War. Continue reading HAIR: Love and Peace comes to Edinburgh