It’s been almost a year since Zurich was recorded and finally the time has come when we can talk about the episode. In February, two of us were fortunate enough to be given production guest tickets. We were very privileged to be able to attend, but for those who weren’t as lucky we did a write up of the recording as a whole, which can be found here. It was reported that over 20,000 people applied for tickets, a real testament to the show’s popularity and the breadth of its influence. Painful as this prolonged silence might have been, it does seem an exceptionally apt time for the episode to be aired as Zurich is a real Christmas treat.
Though a long time Cabin Pressure fan, I will admit that the fourth and latest series was not my favourite. It seemed, perhaps, a little too ‘Disney;’ our erstwhile baked potato eating Cinderella, CAPTAIN Martin Crieff, came away from the episodes with one up on his moustachioed sibling, his dream job and a girlfriend who just happens to be a princess. Lucky him. Meanwhile, though there were also pleasing character developments for ‘airdot’ CEO Carolyn Knapp-Shappey and her ‘sparring partner’ Herc, personal favourites Douglas and Arthur did seem to fade into the background a touch by comparison. Indeed, the series finale went as far as to reduce Douglas to the status held by Martin himself in series one: a ‘supreme commander’ who is, in fact, neither principle (or, indeed, paramount) nor truly in command.
It was with some trepidation, therefore, that I sat down for the last letter of the alphabet, but I’m happy to say that it was mere moments before I was chastising myself lack of faith. In the world of comedy, there are few writers who can match John Finnemore’s talent for combining crisp, directional narrative with humour so potent that several moments had to be repeated during recordings because the audience was laughing too heartily. Above all, he created a cast of characters who have become familiar and beloved old friends for thousands- a real feat for a radio sitcom with relatively few episodes. Zurich was a showcase of all of these creative talents and more; from the early introduction of ‘Chekov’s brake pads’ to the moment the captain of ‘OJS’ was announced (to spontaneous applause) the audience was hooked.
Benedict Cumberbatch- a name some of you might recognise from one or two trifling things- returns to the role of Martin, whose character has evolved to be far less prissy and insecure than he was when we were first introduced to him attempting to create a feline ice sculpture, though this development is still very much a work in progress. Aside from a rather dodgy Douglas impression which came off more akin to Jeremy Clarkson (though perhaps we could give him the benefit of the doubt and presume that Martin himself is just not all that good at mimicry…) Cumberbatch is in fine form here, his ‘panic buying’ in the auction scene a notable joy to listen to. Martin’s relationship with Matilda Ziegler’s Princess Theresa also adds an interesting extra dynamic to the show while managing not to detract attention away from the old guard.
Indeed, I’m singularly unwilling to say goodbye to Cabin Pressure as a whole, and I know I’m by no means the only one. That’s not to say that Zurich doesn’t provide a fitting and extremely emotionally satisfying ending: despite Martin earning his stripes as a paid pilot and leaving MJN Air, the widely held belief that the characters have become a family over the course of the show is confirmed by a change of company nomenclature, and ‘Our Jet Still’ flies on. What more could we ask for? Nevertheless, I readily envisage continuing to wish for a sequel until doomsday, because I don’t imagine there will ever be a radio series to surpass it.
Ditto all the above!Having come to CP quite late I am now totally addicted,especially to Roger Allam‘s brilliant timing and to Matilda Ziegler‘s Princess of Lichtenstein.All are brilliant!May this series live on!!!
Loved Cabin Pressure and have listened to it many, many times. Wish they would make it a tv series. Also, I think Roger Allam would have made a fabulous Maigret. Hope you read this BBC!!
Wishing that John Finnemore, would write something equally impressive. I think that the ending probably was a good place to leave it, sad though it was to stop there.
Fab characters, wonderful actors, fantastic scripts, more please
Siobhan