Two people at very different moments in their lives end up beside each other in the VIP waiting lounge at Shannon airport. They make small talk, share a beer, and unwilling to reveal their true selves, a game of mutual deception ensues.

Stephen is a young man running away from his life to backpack in an exotic location. Helen is a former film star, hounded by paparazzi and attempting to seem ‘normal’ for a little while. Over the course of many beers in the waiting lounge, they divulge their untruths. Stephen claims to be a rock star in a famous band with messy interpersonal relationships. Helen is claiming to be someone she is not too – a regular person who just resembles the film star she truly is.  

Cue more beer-drinking, an outrageous practical joke, and some very real moments of self-discovery before fate and chance combine with two vastly contrasting outcomes.

This radio drama is a comedy of pretence, playfulness and pilseners.

‘Passengers’ premiered at 9pm on Saturday 7th June 2025 on Newstalk. Podcast available on Drama on Newstalk after the broadcast - on GoLoud, Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.

‘Passengers’ was written by Alan McMonagle, directed by Sight Nor Sound Theatre, produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney. The cast are Rose Henderson and John D. Ruddy.

Thanks to the following Freesound users:

Waiting on Runway then Boarding by iainmccurdy -- https://freesound.org/s/648445/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Perfect Clean Airplane Taking off at Beirut airport with stereo pan.wav by The_Sound_Side -- https://freesound.org/s/255211/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Clinking Glasses by redafs -- https://freesound.org/s/379506/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

8 Landings 96k.mp3 by nofeedbak -- https://freesound.org/s/331964/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

The programme was funded by Coimisiún na Meán, with the Television Licence Fee.

Design by Hopscotch.