Cabin Pressure

A full-cast BBC Radio Comedy

By: John Finnemore

Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch, Full Cast, John Finnemore, Roger Allam, Stephanie Cole

Cabin Pressure is set in the wing and a prayer world of a tiny, one-plane charter airline; staffed by two pilots, one on his way down, and one who was never up to start with. Whether flying actresses to Italy, cricketers to the Sahara, or a cat to Abu Dhabi, no job is too small, but many, many jobs are too difficult.

Carolyn Knapp-Shappey, MJN Air's formidable boss, has employed two of the very cheapest pilots money can buy: Captain Martin Crieff, who's always wanted to fly and won't let a little thing like lack of ability stop him, and First Officer Douglas Richardson, smooth-voiced old sky god and eternal schemer. Passenger service is provided by the relentlessly cheery Arthur, proud inventor of both Surprising Rice and his own hat.

Written by John Finnemore (John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme, The Now Show), Cabin Pressure stars Stephanie Cole as Carolyn, Benedict Cumberbatch as Martin, Roger Allam as Douglas and John Finnemore as Arthur.

‘The more I listen to John Finnemore's Cabin Pressure, the more I think what a stonking masterpiece it is. Perfect in every department.’ – Philip Pullman

'Unexpectedly brilliant' - Time Out

'An inspired new sitcom' – Observer

©2008 John Finnemore; (P)2008 BBC Audiobooks Ltd

Critic reviews

John Finnemore's writing flies in first class. (Jane Anderson)

a superb cast. Roger Allam, Stephanie Cole and Benedict Cumberbatch give their all (Gillian Reynolds)

I cannot find a single flaw in it. So top marks. (Nicholas Lezard)

The more I listen to John Finnemore's Cabin Pressure, the more I think what a stonking masterpiece it is. Perfect in every department. (Philip Pullman)

Love, Love, Love

What made the experience of listening to Cabin Pressure the most enjoyable?

The cast is absolutely superb and the whole thing is just terrific. Brilliantly written and original. Hilarious!

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that so much hilarity can come about with such a small cast and the background concept of a small private airline.

Any additional comments?

Cabin pressure is comedy gold, I'm so glad to find it on audible and will be looking out for more radio 4 gems. I listened to these on planes and found it very hard not to burst into fits of laughter in public!

Loved it

I absolutely love this series. Always fun to listen to. Great cast and fantastic scripts.

Laugh out loud

Do not listen to this in a public place with headphones on. I guarantee you will be seen as that crazy person standing by yourself laughing out loud. I can’t say enough about the entire Cabin Pressure series. You just have to experience it for yourself. You will grow to absolutely adore all of these characters.

Awesome!

Loved it sooooo much! Laughed hysterically! It was absolutely brilliant! Will definitely be listening to it again and again!!

hilarious

If you could sum up Cabin Pressure in three words, what would they be?

ingenious and very well performed I found myself laughing in the car as I was listening. Cheered up my day