Passenger 23
An Audible Original Drama
LISTEN FROM 17TH DECEMBER ON AUDIBLE
Directed by Cherry Cookson
Dramatised for audio by Johanna Steiner
23 people disappear at sea from cruise ships every year without a trace – and none have ever returned.
Until now.
Audible, the world’s largest seller and provider of downloadable audiobooks and other spoken-word entertainment, today announced a new dramatisation of Passenger 23, a dark thriller from the best-selling German author Sebastian Fitzek. Performed by an all-star cast, the original audio drama is available to download from audible.co.uk from 17th December. Starring Max Beesley (Homeland, Mad Dogs), Rebecca Hall (The Prestige, The Town), Sian Phillips (Dune, Under Milk Wood) and Robert Glenister (Hustle, Spooks) the story delves into the shadowy underworld of luxury cruises, where an average of 23 unexplained passenger disappearances occur every year, as well as exploring the internal struggle that comes with personal loss.
The third Audible Original drama from Sebastian Fitzek, this audio adaptation follows Martin Schwartz (Max Beesley), an undercover detective willing to go to extreme lengths to uncover the truth. Following the sudden disappearance of his wife and son whilst on a cruise five years previously, and unsatisfied with a verdict of ‘extended suicide,’ Martin is determined to find out the truth about their case.
Max Beesley says of Passenger 23, “It’s an incredibly complex, multi-faceted drama. It’s intriguing, with elements of darkness – you have to be really on-point when listening to the story to make sure you hear all the wonderful twists.”
Rebecca Hall, who stars beside Beesley as the character Elena, says, "I've really enjoyed my time working on this play with Audible. Audio is a unique and challenging medium for actors and writers alike. It stands on its own and requires a completely different skill set which I find exciting and challenging."
Sebastian Fitzek, author of the original book says, “Every year cruise ship passengers disappear without a trace. Shipping companies claim, almost reflexively, that these are suicide cases, but many people have legitimate doubts about the validity of this - to the point where there are now law firms in the United States that specialize in this area.
During my research I realized that cruise ships actually provide the backdrop for a perfect crime - a place with no police; surrounded by ocean - where evidence can disappear forever; but it’s also a world populated by ambitious people, keen to preserve the glossy image associated with luxury liners.”
Steve Carsey, Director of Original Content at Audible, says, “This is our third dramatisation of a Fitzek novel, and just like AMOK and The Child before it, Passenger 23 has a strong narrative and almost palpable intrigue that lends itself to an audio adaptation. Audio dramas allow for an increased sense of immediacy; as though the characters are talking directly to the listener - so with stories such as Fitzek’s, the listener can completely engulf themselves within the plot and all its various twists.”
Passenger 23 has been dramatised as an Audible Original by Johanna Steiner, produced by Mariele Runacre Temple from Wireless Theatre and directed by Cherry Cookson. The original text was translated by Jamie Lee Searle. This production is based on the original work Passagier 23 by Sebastian Fitzek, and is the third of his works to be adapted as an Audible Original drama, following Audible best-sellers AMOK and The Child.
Cast List
Narrator – Robert Glenister
Martin – Max Beesley
Daniel – Anthony Head
Elena – Rebecca Hall
Julia – Tracy-Ann Oberman
Gerlinde – Sian Phillips
(Pre-order from 3rd December)
Passenger 23 - Extended cast and crew:
Full Cast List
Narrator – Robert Glenister
Martin – Max Beesley
Daniel – Anthony Head
Elena – Rebecca Hall
Julia – Tracy-Ann Oberman
Gerlinde – Sian Phillips
Klein – Carolyn Pickles
Lisa – Josephine Arden
Diesel – Thom Tuck
Yegor – Stephen Critchlow
Veith – Ben Whitehead
Anouk/Fendrich – Ceri Gifford
Tom – Nick Boulton
Armin – Julian Firth
Shahla – Sarine Sofair
Konradin/Tiago – Mark Straker
Gregor/Rangun/Client/Barkeeper – Richard Reed
Dr. Silva – Trevor Cuthbertson
Voice-over (and credits) – Nigel Anthony
Crew
Director: Cherry Cookson
Producer: Mariele Runacre Temple (Wireless Theatre)
Dramatiser: Johanna Steiner
Translator: Jamie Lee Searle
Exec Producer: Rebecca Fenton (Audible Originals)
