We’ve all been there –  stuck on a plane for hours, sat next to someone eager to tell you their life story, caught in the middle of a tense conversation, or eavesdropping on a juicy chat from the next row (hehe). CABIN FEVER taps into these familiar experiences, introducing us to a lively mix of passengers all aboard the same flight to LA. The characters are excellently portrayed by the versatile duo Aurelia Harris-Johnstone and Beth Miles, who switch between roles with impressive ease and natural comic timing. Each scene shift is cleverly marked by the familiar ping! sound of the seatbelt sign, constantly reminding us of the cabin setting we find ourselves in. 

We meet a series of instantly recognisable characters – two gals obsessively taking selfies and comparing poses, the elderly couple seeking a bit of peace and quiet, a little girl loudly repeating words she shouldn’t have heard, feuding teenage siblings and a married couple mid-air realising they might not be in love anymore. Alongside the passengers, we get a peek behind the curtain at the cabin crew dynamics – from an eager newbie trying to make a good impression to a more seasoned flight attendant reprimanding herself over forgetting to put out the sick bags.

The script is witty and warm, blending speedy humour with moments of surprising emotional depth. Among the more memorable storylines is that of Michael and Rachel, a married couple downgraded to economy and now forced to sit apart. While Rachel complains about the lack of luxury, Michael finds an unexpected connection with an American therapist called Anastasia sat next to him. Here we see a quieter, evolving thread amongst the comedy that begins to reveal deeper cracks in the marriage.

CABIN FEVER feels like a real family-friendly show, packed with entertaining moments for younger viewers and subtle jokes peppered throughout for adults. If there’s a teeny drawback for me, it’s that some of the characters occasionally feel slightly spoof like. But honestly, that exaggerated style is part of the show’s charm – a playful, heightened take on the chaos and comedy of being sat on an aeroplane.

Hop onboard and witness CABIN FEVER for yourself! On til 23^rd Aug at Annexe at theSpace @ Symposium Hall. Tickets available here.