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)

Delightful!

Cabin Pressure is a radio play set aboard a chartered plane and it's simply delightful. I admit I did first get this one because of Benedict Cumberbatch, but as I listened I found myself really enjoying what each of the actors brings to this hilarious play.

It was side-splitting funny as you listen and watch while they get themselves into messes and have to figure out how to get themselves out.

I listened to this one at work and I had to pause several times to catch my breathe because I was laughing too hard.

If you like british comedy I highly recommend this one.

You have to get this

The show is hilarious and very well put together. After only 8 minutes of ep 1 I was hooked. I can't wait to listen to the other 3 series.

Situational humor, my favorite!

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

Brilliantly timed comedy, well written and well played. Clean humor as well, which is always appreciated.

Pure Joy From Start to finish.

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

Quirky, Fun, Brilliant

What other book might you compare Cabin Pressure to and why?

The series continues in the tradition of such brilliant British comedies as Black Adder and Red Dwarf

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I listened to John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme, which is equally delightful.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

MJN air: who needs an airline when you can fly an air dot?

Any additional comments?

This is up there with my favorite all time listens. I have yet to come across someone who *hasn't* loved this show... and I've been pretty evangelical about introducing this show to just about everyone I know.

get ready for takeoff

loved it fun exciting. the only complaint I have is it's only about 2 hours and 40 minutes per season. but one of the better English comedies out there