The girls are back with more satirical comedy that seems more relevant than ever!
Watford Colosseum 5th February 2020
For 37 years Fascinating Aida have been delivering witty and satirical songs in their characteristically near the knuckle style. Thanks to social media (which also gets a F.A style takedown) their acclaimed cabaret show, which was once the preserve of theatre-goers and luvvies, drew a more mainstream crowd. With 23 Million hits on YouTube it's clear that viewers have embraced the trio's wordsmithery and their unrivalled ability to tell it like it is.
The show at Watford Colosseum is the first show of their latest tour and contains some newer material, but a lot of their older work seems more relevant than ever before. Dilly Keane's dry delivery when offering a trigger warning for anyone under 30 before launching into This Ain't The Hoaky Coaky Anymore - a song about the ghastly perils of ageing
- is as funny as the song itself. F.A certainly have a no holds barred view on the world; everything is up for commentary and mockery, be it German singers in Lieder or sexual exhibitionism in Dogging.
There's more irreverence to follow in the Bulgarian Song Cycle 2020 where everything from HS2 to Jeremy Corbyn is up for grabs. The Brexit Song has been reworked as We're Sorry Ireland and although is no longer a protest song, cleverly points out the pitfalls of leaving the EU for our Irish friends. Boomerang Kids takes on a whole different meaning in the era of generation rent. Whites' Blues, a track about virtue signalling from their back catalogue, could have easily slotted into a set that was so charged with political and social commentary that even Colin Firth wasn't spared.
When Dilly, Adele and Liza are not rambunctiously getting laughs, they are equally adept at focusing on the serious side of life. Lerwick Town chronicles the effects of climate change and Socialist Britain – another reworking of a live favourite, has been brought up to date. Prisoner of Gender, a song that took over a decade to write, makes a welcome feature to the show and is an empowering song about Adele's own experiences. It's also a rousing reminder of the importance of embracing our differences.
F.A's observations on life and comic timing is something to marvel and as inspiring as their willingness to tackle the subjects others won't. Their ability to creating genuinely moving music is also to be applauded. It's all part of their brilliance.
Let's face it, anybody who is easily offended, cannot see the funny side of life and doesn't want to be challenged intellectually or emotionally really should stay at home. If you (wisely) decide to brave the word slinging and see them on tour, you can guarantee that they'll be poignant, hilarious and fabulous.