Fascinating Aïda
40 years ago – has it really only been that long? – the love children of Noël Coward, Jacques Brel, Edith Piaf and Liberace (the frocks, the sequins!) stepped from the shadows and on to a small cabaret stage – Fascinating Aïda was born.
Founder Dillie Keane and collaborator extraordinaire Adèle Anderson were joined in 2004 by Liza Pulman, who brought with her harmony, in every sense, and a new level of musical class after her years as a junior principal with the Glyndebourne Opera Company.
The group has performed across 5 continents, had 5 West End runs, recorded 8 albums, received 5 award nominations (3 Olivier, 2 Drama Desks, 1 Perrier) and published 2 books. And all in high heels, except for Down with the Kids, which the trio gallantly performed in unattractive trainers, such is their devotion to their art.
All FA's recordings are owned by First and are available on most streaming sites such as Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Google Play, Amazon, as well as from HMV.
Imagine Sex and the City with harmonies...
Imagine Absolutely Fabulous sung by The Andrews Sisters...
Imagine Noël Coward, but ruder...
Tom Lehrer with heart...
Jacques Brel with jokes...
Monty Python set to music...
Edith Piaf with better frocks...
Marlene with cellulite...
Emma Thompson with rhythm...
In 2024, to mark 40 years of Fascinating Aida, the group toured the UK and did 3 gala performances at the London Palladium!
West End Shows
1987 Fascinating Aida, Picadilly Theatre
1994 Fascinating Aida, Garrick and Apollo Theatres
1997 It, Wit, Don't Give A Shit Girls, Vaudeville Theatre
1999 Barefaced Chic, Theatre Royal, Haymarket
2003 One Last Flutter, Comedy Theatre
2024 The 40th Anniversary Show, Palladium & UK Tour
Other London Shows
1984 Fascinating Aida, Donmar Warehouse
1985 Fascinating Aida, Lyric Hammersmith
1986 Fascinating Aida, Lyric Hammersmith
1989 Fascinating Aida, Lyric Hammersmith
1994 Fascinating Aida, Lyric Hammersmith
1998 It, Wit, Don't Give A Shit Girls, Lyric Hammersmith
2000 Barefaced Chic, Lyric Hammersmith
2008 Silver Jubilee, Jermyn Street Theatre
Albums
Absolutely Fascinating (Digital)
1984 Sweet FA
1987 A Load Of Old Sequins
1994 Live At The Lyric
1997 It, Wit, Don't Give A Shit Girls
1999 Barefaced Chic
2003 One Last Flutter
2005 Absolutely Fascinating
2009 Silver Jubilee
2010 Silver Jubilee (DVD)
2012 Cheap Flights
2012 Cheap Flights (DVD)
2014 Charm Offensive (DVD)
2016 Back In The Saddle (DVD)
Books
1985 Fascinating Who?, Elmtree Books
1995 The Joy Of Sequins - The Fascinating Aida Songbook, Methuen
Television
1985 BBC 2, 40 Minutes Documentary - Sweet FA
1988 BBC 2, Fascinating Aida Special
World
2024 Adelaide Cabaret Festival
2009 59E59 Theaters, New York
2004 59E59 Theaters, New York
2003 Red Pear Theatre, Antibes, France
2000 Season at Raffles Hotel, Singapore
1999 3-week season at the Bar Jeder Vernunft, Berlin
1999 Two performances at Hemingways Resort, Watamu,
Kenya
1998 Small national tour of Australia
Wellington Festival, New Zealand
4-week season at the Firebird Cafe, New York
Return 2-week season at the Firebird Cafe, New York and performance at the New York Cabaret Convention
1988 Opened Sydney Festival for the Bicentennial at the Opera House and played a 4-week season and national tour
4-week season in New York
7-week season at the Mason Street Theater, San Francisco
1986 Sydney Festival and small national tour of Australia