Fascinating Aïda: Cheap Flights

Fascinating Aïda reckon that they have, cumulatively, some 80 years of Fringe experience between them - and yet the legendary cabaret trio's leader, Dillie Keane, still seems faintly surprised by the cataclysm of applause that erupts as they step onto the boards to introduce their new show Cheap Flights to a packed house. 

It is their first new show in several years, and Fascinating Aïda seem determined to prove early on that they've lost none of their edge in this, their 27th performing year. Acronymic opener 'CUNTS' (that's Companies Using Nifty Taxation Systems) takes non-dom tax-dodgers to task in typically ruthless form, while old favourite 'One True Religion' superbly spears middle-class "metaphysical shopping sprees".

Keane and her writing partner Adele Anderson are on fine form tonight, despite persistent technical difficulties, while new soprano Sarah-Louise Young showcases an admirably strong voice, with enough charm and swagger to perfectly fit the FA mould.

Fascinating Aïda have always revelled in incongruity, and Cheap Flights continues in that tradition: the sight of Keane rapping during 'Down With The Kids' is at once utterly surreal and oddly compelling, while the self-explanatory 'Dogging' plays remarkably well to a predominantly older audience. YouTube hit 'Cheap Flights'—which, Anderson proudly notes, "has gone fungal"—goes down a storm, but that was always to be expected. 

A number about taking an elderly relative to Dignitas is an awkward moment for the audience—though typically well-written, it's nonetheless hard to laugh at euthanasia—but it's an unusual misstep in a show packed with razor-sharp satirical songwriting.