Cabin Pressure: The Complete Series 1: A full-cast BBC Radio Comedy

John Finnemore

Sep 2011 · BBC Digital Audio · Narrated by John Finnemore, Benedict Cumberbatch, Full Cast, Roger Allam, and Stephanie Cole

About this audiobook

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

Ratings and reviews

brilliant! if only Google Play store would get its act together and offer the complete series for sale. (as if this writing, Series 3 and the Christmas special are missing).

Funny, sweet, entertaining, mischievous, this series is, in a word, brilliant! Especially funny for folks familiar with the airline industry and still hilarious for folks who aren't!

Absolutely brilliant. I urge you to listen to this and all of cabin pressure. The best radio comedy ever.

About the author

John Finnemore is a British comedy writer and actor, best known for his radio sitcom Cabin Pressure and his radio sketch show John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme, as well as for frequent appearances on other BBC Radio 4 comedy shows such as The Now Show.