Fascinating Aida Marks 25th Birthday at Jermyn St

Veteran comedy music troupe Fascinating Aida is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with a short run at London’s Jermyn Street Theatre from 19 to 31 May 2008. This marks a return to the stage after an absence of four years when the company’s last show, Absolutely Fascinating, was presented in the West End and on Broadway (See News, 4 Nov 2004).

Satirical cabaret act Fascinating Aida was formed in 1983 by Dillie Keane, Marilyn Cutts and Lizzie Richardson. Keane, who will be performing in the anniversary show, describes the forthcoming performance as “not a comeback, just a quarter-century birthday celebration”.

After initially performing in a small West End wine bar, the comedy singing act soon attracted a large following and went on to produce six albums, have six West End runs, be seen on five continents and be nominated for three Olivier awards. For the anniversary show, the current cast of Keane, Adèle Anderson and Liza Pulman will perform a selection of new material along with some old favourites.

Ahead of the Jermyn Street season, theatregoers can get a sneak preview this Sunday 27 April 2008 at the West End’s Arts Theatre where Fascinating Aida is headlining a cabaret fundraiser for the Children With AIDS charity (CWAC) which, in association with Critical Mass theatre company, concentrates on supporting AIDS victims in Kenya. Other acts performing on the night include Brendon Burns, Tanyalee Davis, Paul L Martin, Janie Dee, Shoo Shoo Baby, Steve Rawlins and Kate Copstick. Charity gala tickets cost from £15 to £25. For further information, contact the Arts box office on 0207 836 2132.

– by Theo Bosanquet