WELL, since you ask me for a review of John Finnemore’s Flying Visit into Warrington, I believe I can oblige.

A five-strong troupe of travelling sketch show performers arrived at the Parr Hall, poised to deliver a show packed with sometimes silly, often obtuse, but clearly clever skits from the pen of the sharp comic mind of John Finnemore.

I have a strong feeling it’s been a while since the venue has welcomed such a very niche Radio Four audience which may account, sadly, for the show’s somewhat low attendance – a 300ish figure which was referenced throughout.

But what the audience lacked in numbers was more than doubled with enthusiasm by fans well-acquainted with the award winning writer’s back catalogue.

Employing the cast from his long running radio series John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme – Lawry Lewin, Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane and Carrie Quinlan – the show mined many personal favourites.

These included a sketch where the characters from 100 Acre Wood stage an intervention to deal with Winnie the Pooh’s spiralling honey habit, plus a rendition of the song Red Trousers which mocks the male Sloane’s no-frills approach to leg wear at Henley, Ascots, Lord and The Oval. As I say, all very Radio Four, but also very funny!

Perhaps the highlight for many was an interview with a beloved character from Cabin Pressure – the series that arguably made Finnemore’s name.

The series followed the trials and troubles of the eccentric crew of MJN Air from A to Z, and starred John along with comedy greats Stephanie Cole and Roger Allam plus a little-known actor called Benedict Cumberbatch.

In this sketch fans catch up with Finnemore’s hapless but adorable airline steward Arthur who spills the beans on where the rest of the crew ended up after they flew into the sunset from Zurich.

Despite enjoying the show, there were points that felt a little clunky, but this is perhaps because some of performances on stage didn’t match up visually with what I have conjured up in my mind thanks to the magic of radio.

And some of the blocking and quick blackouts reminded me all too painfully of A-Level drama performances.

But overall, this was an evening filled with laughter. I got exactly what I went to see and in the words of one Arthur Shappey the show was ‘brilliant’. Oh, and the lemon is still in play.