Fascinating Aida

Infobox musical artist
Name = Fascinating Aida


Img_capt = The album cover of "Fascinating Aida's" "Absolutely Fascinating"
Img_size =
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = England
Genre = Satirical Cabaret, comedy
Years_active = 1983 – 1989
1994 – 2004
2008 -
Label = First Night Records
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.fascinating-aida.co.uk
Current_members = Dillie Keane Adele Anderson Liza Pulman
Past_members = Lizzie Richardson Marilyn Cutts Glenda Smith Denise Wharmby Issy Van Randwyck Charlotte Nytzen

Fascinating Aida (otherwise known as Fascinating Aïda) is a British comedy singing group and satirical cabaret act, which has retired twice, most recently in 2004. After the death in 2007 of the group's pianist and musical director, Russell Churney, all plans for a new show were shelved. Some of their most famous songs include "Shattered Illusions", "Herpes Tango", "Lieder" and "Taboo". It was announced in early March 2008 that they would get together again for a short spell of concerts and possibly a brief tour to celebrate their 25th anniversary, and the show would include new songs. [http://www.fascinating-aida.co.uk/faframe.htm] [ [http://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/ Jermyn Street Theatre, the official online home of London's leading Off-West-End venue ] ] [ [http://www.colekitchenn.com/ COLE KITCHENN LTD - Producers - General Management - Personal Management ] ] They are currently performing at the Jermyn Street Theatre, and will follow their run with several performances in other cities. Recently, a Fascinating Aida Official YouTube Channel was created, which shows various past performances and details event dates [ [http://uk.youtube.com/FascinatingAida Fascinating Aida YouTube Official] ] , and the new website was set up.

History

Fascinating Aida was founded in March 1983 by Dillie Keane, along with Marilyn Cutts and Lizzie Richardson. The members have varied frequently, but the lasting two have been Dillie Keane and Adele Anderson, who joined the group in 1984. The trio started performing in a West End wine bar, but they soon caught the media attention, and performed on television for the first time in July 1983.Fact|date=January 2008 Over the years, they gained a growing fanbase and national popularity, earning three Laurence Olivier Awards nominations for "Best Entertainment" in 1995 and 2000. They were voted "Most Popular Act 1985" by City Limits magazine and also earned a Perrier Comedy Award nomination. [ [http://www.edfringe.com/story.html?id=117&area_id=35 Past Perrier Awards Nominees and Winners] ] The group broke up in 1989cite web
title = Fascinating Aida
publisher = Gavin Barker Associates Ltd
url = http://www.gavinbarkerassociates.co.uk/fascinating-aida.htm
accessdate = 2008-01-28] and was subsequently reformed in 1994, and performed for a further ten years, releasing a number of albums, before breaking up again in 2004. Their final show, "One Last Flutter", ran from 13 November to 6 December, 2003 at the Comedy Theatre in London, when original member Marilyn Cutts joined the group for one last time. When asked in a 2006 interview if the "One Last Flutter" show in December 2003cite web
title = Fascinating Aida: One Last Flutter
publisher = thisistheatre.com
url = http://www.thisistheatre.com/londonshows/fascinatingaida.html
accessdate = 2008-01-28] had been the groups last ever show, Dillie Keane responded, "It might be! I don’t know! I’m not being deliberately obscure – it depends if I fancy it and I don’t at the moment."cite web
last = Connor
first = Sheila
title = Interviews: Not Just Fascinating Aida!
publisher = British Theatre Guide
year = 2006
url = http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/otherresources/interviews/DillieKeane.htm
accessdate = 2008-01-28] Since then she stated on the welcome page on the Fascinating Aida official website that "Next year will be our 25th anniversary so we really want to do a new show to celebrate." The page was recently updated to give information about the performances and locations.cite web
last = Keane
first = Dillie
aouthorlink = Dillie Keane
title = Welcome
publisher = Fascinating Aida
year = 2008
url = http://www.fascinating-aida.co.uk/faframe.htm
accessdate = 2008-01-31]

The group wrote songs for radio and television programmes such as Stop the Week, After Hours, People Like Us and TV-am.The group were the subject of several BBC documentaries. All the current members are also established actresses, mainly in musical theatre. Dillie Keane is also a writer, having written a column in "The Stage" magazine for ten years, and written two books, "The Joy of Sequins" in 1995 and "Fascinating Who?" in 1985. Keane says she now spends her time "juggling acting, caberet and writing". The group have an official mascot - a pure bred Irish setter called "Dillie", born in 1999.

Group Line up over the years

Current members

* Dillie Keane (1983 to present)
* Adele Anderson (1984 to present)
* Liza Pulman (2004 to present)

Previous members

* Lizzie Richardson (March 1983 to October 1983)
* Marilyn Cutts (March 1983 to March 1986)cite news
title = Song star launches play season
publisher = Cumberland News
date = 2006-05-26
url = http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/arts/viewarticle.aspx?id=371175
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
* Glenda Smith (October 1983 to December 1983)cite web
title = Glenda Smith
publisher = Internet Movie Database
url = http://media-imdb.com/name/nm1528510/
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
* Denise Wharmbycite news
last = Holden
first = Stephen
title = Review/Cabaret; British Music-Hall by Fascinating Aida
publisher = New York Times
date = 1988-08-14
url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE4DE1331F937A2575BC0A96E948260
accessdate = 2008-01-28] (August 1986 to April 1989}
* Issy Van Randwyckcite web
title = Fascinating Aida
publisher = culturevulture.net
url = http://www.culturevulture.net/Theater/FascinatingAida.htm
accessdate = 2008-01-28] (March 1994 to July 1999)
* Charlotte Nytzen (February 2000)cite news
last = Rampton
first = James
title = COMEDY: GIG OF THE WEEK; Fascinating Aida Until 26 Feb Lyric Theatre,
publisher = The Independent
date = 2000-02-19
url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000219/ai_n14290930
accessdate = 2008-01-28]

Tour History

Fascinating Aida have appeared in over 100 theatres in the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as numerous tours to other countries.cite web
title = Into The Woods biographies
publisher = Derby Playhouse
url = http://www.derbyplayhouse.co.uk/intothewoodsBiogs.html
accessdate = 2008-01-28]

National Tours & Residencies

*1984 "Fascinating Aida" - Donmar Warehouse, London. The show ran from 11 December 1984 to 5 January 1985cite web
title = Fascinating Aida - London Donmar Warehouse
publisher = thisistheatre.com
url = http://www.thisistheatre.com/shows/donmar176.html
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
*1985 "Fascinating Aida" - Lyric Hammersmith, London
*1986 "Fascinating Aida" - Lyric Hammersmith
*1987 "Fascinating Aida" - Piccadilly Theatre, West End, London. The show ran from 19 February to 3 Aprilcite web
title = Fascinating Aida - London Piccadilly
publisher = thisistheatre.com
url = http://www.thisistheatre.com/shows/piccadilly112.html
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
*1989 "Fascinating Aida" - Lyric Hammersmith
*1994 "Fascinating Aida" - Lyric Hammersmith
*1994 "Fascinating Aida" - Garrick Theatre, West End, London. The show ran from 7 December 1994 to 21 January 1995cite web
title = Fascinating Aida - London Garrick Theatre
publisher = thisistheatre.com
url = http://www.thisistheatre.com/shows/garrick97.html
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
*1997 "Fascinating Aida" - Apollo Theatre, West End, London. The show ran from 4 March to 15 Marchcite web
title = Fascinating Aida - London Apollo Theatre
publisher = thisistheatre.com
url = http://www.thisistheatre.com/shows/apollos156.html
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
*1997 "It, Wit, Don't Give A Shit Girls" - Vaudeville Theatre, West End, London. The show ran from 23 January to 15 Februarycite web
title = Fascinating Aida - London Vaudeville
publisher = thisistheatre.com
url = http://www.thisistheatre.com/shows/vaudeville181.html
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
*1997 "It, Wit, Don't Give A Shit Girls" - Lyric Hammersmith. The show ran from 4 March to 15 March
*1998 "It, Wit, Don't Give A Shit Girls" - Lyric Hammersmith
*1999 "Barefaced Chic" - Theatre Royal, Haymarket, West End, London. The show ran from 9 February to 13 Marchcite web
title = Fascinating Aida - London Haymarket
publisher = thisistheatre.com
url = http://www.thisistheatre.com/shows/haymarket169.html
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
*2000 "Barefaced Chic" - Lyric Hammersmith
*2003 "One Last Flutter" - Comedy Theatre, West End, London. The show ran from 13 November to 6 Decembercite web
title = Fascinating Aida - London Comedy Theatre
publisher = thisistheatre.com
url = http://www.thisistheatre.com/shows/comedy188.html
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
*2008 "Silver Jubilee" - Jermyn Street Theatre, London. The show ran from 19th to the 31 May. Also small national tour.

2008 Mini-Tour

In 2008, Fascinating Aida had their "Silver Jubilee Concert", celebrating 25 years of Fascinating Aida. The group are performing several weeks in London's Jermyn Street Theatre, and the run includes many new numbers as well as old. [ [http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821208795471 Fascinating Aida Marks 25th Birthday at Jermyn St | What's on Stage News | Whatsonstage ] ] [ [http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=206&action=details&show=V207 Whatsonstage: Jermyn Street Theatre,, Inner London, Greater London ] ] [ [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/116801.html Playbill News: Fascinating Aida to Mark 25th Anniversary with London Concerts ] ] They have received very positive reviews for their performances. [ [http://westendwhingers.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/review-fascinating-aida-jermyn-street-theatre/ West End Wingers - Review] ] Following their run, they performed in various venues over England, including at the Chichester Festival, the Cheltenham Festival, The Oundle Festival, Aldeburgh, The Harleston and Waveney Festival and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. [ [http://www.fascinating-aida.co.uk/welcome.htm Official Website - Tour Dates] ] They also performed in "Concert for Russell", which commemorated the life of ex-FA member Russell Churney, who passed away from cancer a few years ago. [ [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/118956.html The Lovely Russell - Playbill] ] [ [http://www.fascinating-aida.co.uk/ Fascinating Aida - Official Website] ]

International Tours & Residencies

*1988 One month season - Ballroom, West 28th Street, New York City, United States
*1998 Small National Tour - Australia
*1999 Two performances - Hemingways Resort, Watamu, Kenya
*1999 Three week season - Bar Jeder Vernunft, Berlin, Germany
*2000 Season -Raffles Hotel, Singapore
*2003 Red Pear Theatre, Antibes, France September to Octobercite web
title = Fascinating Aida
publisher = culturevulture.net
url = http://www.redpear.com/productions.html
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
*2004 "Absolutely Fascinating" - 59E59 Theaters, Manhattan, New York City, United States, as part of the "Brits Off Broadway Festival of New British Theatre".cite news
last = Jefferson
first = Margo
title = THEATER REVIEW; Ladies, Ladies! When You're Not Cheeky, You're Sneaky
publisher = New York Times
date = 2004-06-01
url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E4DD1631F932A35755C0A9629C8B63
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
*2004 "Absolutely Fascinating" - Acorn Theatre, Manhattan, New York. The show ran from 22 September to 14 Novembercite news
last = Gans
first = Andrew
title = Fascinating Aida to Play NY's Acorn Theatre, Sept. 22-Nov. 14
publisher = Playbill News
date = 2004-09-23
url = http://www.playbill.com/news/article/88011.html
accessdate = 2008-01-28]
*Additionally, they performed at the Wellington Festival in New Zealand, a 4 week season at the Firebird Cafe in New York and a later return 2 week season at the Firebird Cafe as well as a performance at the New York Cabaret Convention. In 1988 they opened the "Sydney Festival for the Bicentennial" at the Opera House and played a 4 week season as well as a national tour. They did a further four week season in New York, a seven week season at the Mason Street Theater in San Francisco and in 1986 performed at the Sydney Festival and completed a small national tour of Australia. [ [http://www.gavinbarkerassociates.co.uk/fascinating-aida.htm Agent FA page - Tours] ]

Discography

Fascinating Aida have released five albums and three videos.

Albums

*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 - Absolutely Fascinating
*2003 - One Last Flutter

elected Awards & Nominations

*Olivier Awards
**Nominated for Best Entertainment - 1995 (Live at the Lyric) [http://www.gavinbarkerassociates.co.uk/fascinating-aida.htm Fascinating Aida | Gavin Barker Associates ] ]
**Nominated for Best Entertainment - 2000 (Barefaced Chic) [ [http://www.albemarle-london.com/awards/AwardWinners.php?Award_Type=Laurence%20Olivier%20Awards&Year=2000 Albemarle - Awards ] ]
**Nominated for Best Entertainment - 2004 (One Last Flutter) [ [http://www.curtainup.com/oliviers2004.html Laurence Olivier Awards ] ]

*Perrier Award (Edinburgh Fringe Festival)
**Nominated - 1984 [ [http://www.edfringe.com/story.html?id=117&area_id=35 Ed Fringe Past Awards] ]

*City Limits
**Voted Most Popular Act - 1985

Reviews

"The Independent" gave the "One Last Flutter" show four stars, naming it a "perfectly judged evening" [ [http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre/reviews/fascinating-aida-one-last-flutter-comedy-theatre-london-736073.html The Independent - One Last Flutter - 2003] ] , and "IndieLondon" said that "One Last Flutter is as good and funny and as full of biting wit and humour as ever." [ [http://www.indielondon.co.uk/theatre/t_fascinating_aida_rich_rev.html IndieLondon Review - One Last Flutter - 2003] ] More recently "The West End Whingers" were unanimously appraising of their Jermyn Street Theatre run [ [http://westendwhingers.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/review-fascinating-aida-jermyn-street-theatre/ West End Whingers Review] ] . "The New York Times" said of their "Absolutely Fascinating" run: "I hope every cabaret singer looking for new material sees this show. Any young musical-theater performer who wants to see the right blend of subtlety and showmanship should too. The rest of us can savor the strong opinions and sharp wits that can make top-notch entertainment." [ [http://theater2.nytimes.com/2005/04/12/theater/reviews/12kirk.html?_r=1&oref=slogin NY Times Review] ] Other reviews over time include the "Mail on Sunday", who said to: "see them before you die otherwise your life will have been meaningless"; "The Daily Telegraph", who said that "quite simply, Fascinating Aida are the tops"; the "News of the World", who said that "they are more than ever quite irresistible" and "simply hilarious"; "The Financial Times" who said that they are "one of the most exquisitely polished shows you are ever likely to see", and "The Sunday Telegraph" said that their show was "brilliantly conceived and executed… The music is worth hearing again and again”. [ [http://www.gavinbarkerassociates.co.uk/fascinating-aida.htm Agent FA page - Reviews] ] [ [http://www.chifest.org.uk/eventdetail.aspx?id=506 FA perform at the Chichester Festival] ]

Books

Fascinating Aida have released two books.
* Keane, Dillie; Anderson, Adele (October 1986). "Fascinating Who?", Elm Tree Books, ISBN 0241119251
* Keane, Dillie (December 1994). "The Joy of Sequins", Methuen Publishing Ltd , ISBN 0413691101

References

External links

* [http://www.fascinating-aida.co.uk/ Official Website]
* [http://uk.youtube.com/FascinatingAida Fascinating Aida Official YouTube]
*imdb name|id=2121183|name=Fascinating Aida
*imdb name|id=0443845|name=Dillie Keane
* [http://www.gavinbarkerassociates.co.uk/fascinating-aida.htm Fascinating Aida at "Gavin Barker Associates"]
* [http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/entertainment/Fascinating-return-for-Dillie-Keane.3886605.jp Portsmouth Article on Reunion]