High Life, The (BBC-2 1995, Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson)

Sitcom The High Life followed a pair of Scottish air stewards, Sebastian Flight and Steve McCracken, yearn for something more out of life. The other main characters were stewardess Shona Spurtle (Siobhan Redmond) and mad pilot Captain Duff (Patrick Ryecart).

Series creators and stars Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson had met at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and worked as a double act both in revues and TV (as well as working solo at the same time). The High Life was their first full on sitcom however, having grown out of a pilot screen 9 January 1994 as part of the anthology series Comic Asides.

The series was deliberately stylised and was something of an acquired taste but those who did stay the distance found much to be amused by.

production details
UK / BBC Two / 7×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 9 January 1994 and 6 January – 10 February 1995

Writers: Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson / Producer: Tony Dow (also director of pilot) / Director: Angela deChastelai Smith

cast
Alan Cumming as Sebastian Flight
Forbes Masson as Steve McCracken
Siobhan Redmond as Shona Spurtle
Patrick Ryecart as Captain Duff