Fascinating Aida Charm Offensive at St George’s Hall Bradford Review

Reviewed by Louise Totton

This evening was the third time I have been fortunate enough to see Fascinating Aida live. And they just keep getting better and better.

They are nearing the end of an 18 month tour of their current show, the very aptly titled Charm Offensive, and they are as fresh, entertaining and utterly brilliant as they were the first time we saw them at the beginning of the run.

For those who haven’t heard of Fascinating Aida, I have absolutely no way of describing them and their inimitable style that would do them justice. Believe me, I’ve tried! But in simple terms, they are a middle aged female comedy cabaret trio. Sound appealing? Probably not, but they have to be seen to be understood.

We saw them at St. George’s Hall in Bradford, a lovely small theatre / concert hall that we have used on many occasions. We parked really easily in Hall Ings Multi-storey carpark, and walked the very short distance to the theatre. The staff at St George’s Hall are always fabulous, very friendly and efficient and really help to make the evening an enjoyable one. We enjoyed a nice drink in the bar before we went upstairs to take our seats in the auditorium.

From the very beginning to the very end, Fascinating Aida were just fantastic. They performed a mixture of old favourites and some that were not as familiar to me. The show was paced really well, and as well as the utterly hilarious, laugh out loud songs that they do so very well (Cheap Flights and Dogging were both included), there were some more meaningful and poignant songs included too; Look, Mummy No Hands is currently one of the most played songs on my iPod.

Dillie Keane (the founding member of FA) possesses some of the funniest ‘looks’ I have ever seen, a simple raised eye brow had the whole audience in stitches.

Yet again, another amazing evening from Fascinating Aida and St. George’s Hall. The current FA tour ends this spring, before a much deserved 18 month ‘break’ to write a new one. I absolutely wait with baited breath. I will be there and I will see them again. Top notch – you HAVE to see them.

Rating: 5/5

Fascinating Aida is currently on tour. For more information and tour dates visit www.fascinatingaida.co.uk.

St George’s Hall. Bridge St, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 1JT |  01274 432000