Cabin Pressure

By: John Finnemore

Narrated by: Stephanie Cole, Roger Allam, Benedict Cumberbatch

Length: 2 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Anyone looking to let off some steam is bound to find something to love in Cabin Pressure. The combination of snappy repartee and brilliant voice-acting makes this a side-achingly funny experience from start to finish.

Stephanie Cole ("Doc Martin"), Benedict Cumberbatch and Roger Allam ("The Thick Of It") star in the complete first series of the hit sitcom about the pilots of a tiny charter airline for whom no job is too small, but many, many jobs are too difficult. Written by John Finnemore, writer for The News Quiz, and That Mitchell & Webb Sound.

Run by the forbidding divorcée Carolyn Knapp-Shappey (an unfortunate marriage, namewise, but in Carolyn's opinion, marginally better than Carolyn Shappey-Knapp), her two pilots are the smooth, experienced and almost-certainly-fired-by-a-big-airline-for-all-round naughtiness Douglas, and struggling almost-competent pilot and sweaty man Martin. All-round help is provided by Carolyn's near-idiot son, Arthur....

©2008 John Finnemore (P)2008 BBC Audiobooks Ltd

Critic reviews

"Unexpectedly brilliant." - (Time Out)

"An inspired new sitcom." - (The Observer)

"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)

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

Fun comedy

Clever, well written situation comedy. A good escape.
Audible says I have to add another 12 words before submitting this review.

Brilliant!

Roger Allam is the best and Benedict Cumberbatch (although tall and slim in person) really pulls of the short, nerdy, by the bookish type very well! I have always loved Stephanie Cole since Waiting for God and her performance was on point. I highly recommend the entire series!

a very funny listen

well know and talented British actors make this a fun listen. Good jokes make it fir families

One of my favorite stories

I love everything about this program. Full of so much laughter and heart. In a word... Brilliant!

Brilliant! John Finnemore is a treasure!

Many many thanks to this sensational ensemble - Cole (what a voice, what timing!), Cumberbatch (so so funny), Allam (from Endeavor to The Tempest, is there anything this man cannot do?!) and the GENIUS Finnemore - I find myself listening to this series again and again. So grateful for the laughs!

Mad Cap Comedy Silliness By The Experts

I don't have much experience with radio shows like this recording -- but took a chance because of all the ravingly positive reviews on audible. I love the actors in this program and the reviews were correct--they are all fantastic in their roles. The timing of the dialogue, delivery, and sound effects really paint the picture so you can "see" the action in your mind's eye. Who would have thought? A totally entertaining and successful "try something different" from audible experience. Upbeat and fun.

Fly away on MJN air with these lovable characters-

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

If I had to sum up Cabin Pressure in three iconic words from the show it would be: Lemon In Play.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Arthur is by far my favorite character- I want to say Martin, but Arthur doesn't let anything keep him down. In a group of four clot poles he's the clot pole that never lets the biting sarcasm and sideways jabs get to him.

A great example of this is in an exchange about a cup of coffee.
Arthur: Here you are, Skip. Nice hot cup of coffee.
Martin: Augh. It's cold.
Arthur: Nice cup of coffee.
Martin: It's horrible.
Arthur: Cup of coffee.
Martin: Not even sure it is coffee...
Arthur: Cup.

I dare you to hate Arthur's enthusiasm after Season 2. It's near impossible.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

What don't I like about this performance? It's a radio play in all the beautiful and gleefully imaginative ways that made sitting and listening to the radio as a kid just as entertaining as watching the telly.

The characters are often cheerfully perverse, boldly bad and hilariously hypocritical. John Finnemore does a beautiful job of weaving fantastical cock-ups into the every day lives of these four misfits. From the dry and sarcastically suave Douglas to the socially awkward and dweebish Martin playing a piloting version of Abbot and Costello, to Arthur playing the plucky young idiot and the counterpoint to his waspish and shrewd mother Carolyn- the owner of MJN and hostess of the tiny charter aircraft.

The best part is that while each character is larger than life, they are all three dimensional characters. Arthur has a few moments where it is obvious that not only does he have a decent mind sometimes, but he has to force himself to choose to be cheerful, and Carolyn has many moments of humanity and heartfelt connections. So many beautiful little moments that really make everything that much better, funnier.

The sound effects and method of recording are also delightful, and I never cease to be swept off into the clouds for a half hour when Cabin Pressure comes on.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

You can not listen to Cabin Pressure without getting at least one good chuckle. I however had never listened to it before Season 3 and was given a copy of Season 1 and 2 for listening to during my Holiday.

Suffice it to say I got many odd looks as I broke into giggles and peals of laughter despite white knuckled grips on my own armrests during the long flight. In fact, by the third episode I was relaxed and fairly good even with the pockets of turbulence we went through at one point.

If you hate flying, or love flying, have never flown or fly every week, the MJN crew will have you in stitches. It's just relatable and human in ways that make it an enjoyable experience no matter when you decide to listen in.

Any additional comments?

If you want a good laugh and a ready giggle, Cabin Pressure is the purchase for you!

Funny Engaging - Perfect

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I found these radio shows to be entertaining and amusing. They are about 40 minutes long each, so you can listen to one at a time (great for a commute), or just listen to them all at once.

Great performances!