Stephanie Cole, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Roger Allam star in the first series of the hit sitcom about the tiny charter airline for whom no job is too small, but many, many jobs are too difficult. By John Finnemore ('The News Quiz', '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...In the first of the complete six episodes - ""Qikiqtarjuaq"" - when MJN Air flies a party of tourists near the North Pole, Arthur goes hunting for polar bears, Carolyn for a rogue lemon and Martin for a believable French accent...
Then we travel to episode 2 - ""Paris"", and when a bottle of highly-expensive whisky goes missing, Martin becomes the Miss Marple of MJN Air with Arthur assisting as his trusty Doctor Watson and Douglas hindering as his untrusty prime suspect. On to part 3, ""Newcastle"", where love is in the air, but also unfortunately in a small airport in Birmingham - and Martin has to choose between career, romance and fixing a very small tail-light. Part 4 finds us on the way to ""Ottery St Mary"". Martin is a Man With A Van, Douglas flies A Plane With An Otter and Carolyn dates A Pilot With A Problem With Sheep. And two mysteries solved - the name of Carolyn's dog and the rules of "Yellow Car".
Arriving at episode 5, ""Rotterdam"", it's Lifejacket, Camera, Action as stardom beckons for one of the crew of MJN Air... but who will get to blow the final whistle? And will they look good in a vest? And in the last episode of the series - ""St. Petersburg"" - some vodka and an unwary bird could spell the end of the line for MJN Air, and when Carolyn meets her ex-husband the atmosphere turns even icier.... With special series guests Timothy West, Anthony Head ('Buffy') and Mark Williams ('The Fast Show').
©2011 Pozzitive Television Limited (P)2011 AudioGO Ltd
"The best thing on radio"
Superb writing combines with brilliant execution to bring joyous listening. John Finnemore is a genius, and I hope he's busy writing Series 4!
"First Review of Cabin Pressure (Series 3)..! Funny"
Well, the series has only been here on audible less than a day... I have found it, downloaded it... Listened to it (IN FULL) and managed to laugh most of the two and a half hours.
If you want something really funny this christmas to cheer you up you cant go wrong with this third season. Its well written, the recording is excellent and I have not laughed so much in ages.
That impressed with the series I have been trying to get tickets to go to the recording of one of the seasons via the BBC website, but the tickets are always taken!
One word of warning however... If you happen to have this on your iDevice and are listening to it in public, be careful - you WILL get strange looks when you cant stop laughing or giggling for no apparent reason!
"light hearted amusement"
Very amusing, very enjoyable to listen to. All the characters are well played and have their own fun enjoyable quirks
"Never Disappoints"
I am a real fan of John Finniemore's writing. Crisp sharp dialogue with a cast that can't be beaten. How he can write Douglas' barbs and yet still play the goofy other worldly Arthur is a mystery. Long may it last. I look forward to each new series with great anticipation.
"a great listen"
slick, clever comedy, well acted with a hint of tragedy. I can listen to this again and again
"Absolutely brilliant"
I've listened to all 3 series and just like Arthur says about everything they're all brilliant but I think the third series is the best. I cried with laughter all the way through. May John Finnemore write many more.
"Starts So-So but Ends Perfectly"
This 3rd season starts a bit off (in my opinion) as the writers try to have some episodes in settings unrelated to the air (Caroline's pub date). Although the air world is not omnipresent in Cabin Pressure, it does give all episodes a cohesion that was lost in the opening episodes of season 3 (of course, even an "off" episode from Cabin Pressure is better than most anything else available).
But it seems the writers got this feedback soon as the 3rd season quickly goes back to the air/airplnae world and finishes with one of the best episodes of all 3 seasons.
"Made me laugh out loud"
Another great series - embarrassingly, the emergency procedures made me laugh out loud whilst listening with headphones - I got very strange looks as I continued to snigger and wipe my eyes. Highly recommended
"Absolute pleasure"
I love this series and having only came across it just before Christmas; I have bought all 3 series and it is a listen over and over again.
"great characters, lots of laughs"
I bought this after catching an odd episode on the radio. I love the variety in the characters, the way they work together. Douglas is my favourite, just hearing his voice makes me laugh. I love it so much I introduced my husband to it and now he is hooked.