As you may have read, I am pretty keen on the theatre. When the theatres shut during multiple lockdowns, I didn’t think I’d miss it that much. Fuck me, was I wrong. I am loving being back seeing live shows and over the surrounding four weeks of this post am seeing four different shows, strangely enough, three of them musical in nature. I’m starting to think I do like musicals more than I let on. First up was my second outing seeing Hamilton. I was a bit totes emosh watching the show due to it helping me out during some difficult times during lockdown number one. My eyes were sweating a bit. It was awesome, go and see it. The next show was last weekend at The Curve in Leicester, which I recommend as a venue, watching Six. It’s essentially Spice Girls meets Henry VIII’s six wives. It’s brilliant; loud, brash, lots of dancing and singing. I again recommend it. And the Lovely Girlfriend and I already have tickets to see it in London later on this year. This week me and the Lovely Girlfriend are off to see 2:22 A Ghost Story. I have high hopes.
But it’s yesterday’s performance at the Derngate in Northampton that I’d like to highlight this week. Fascinating Aida are three middle aged, seemingly middle class ladies (and one awesome gent on the piano) who sing rude operatic songs. I know, sounds suss but they’re hilarious. Twice I nearly choked on my mask because I was sucking in air so much due to laughing so hard. I was first drawn to them many years ago when a friend shared a song of theirs at a festive time of year. The lyrics to the chorus:
Try not to be a cunt, it’s Christmas
It’s only for a day or two
The rest of us are doing our best to be jolly
So don’t go looking like you swallowed a bunch of holly
Fascinating aida
So as you can imagine, I thought they were a bit of me. I managed to get two tickets at the theatre in Coventry for me and a very good friend for their birthday. Off we went. And off it went. I’ve never laughed so hard and so it proved on seeing them again. This second performance was two years in the making, having bought the tickets in October 2019. And my reputation was at stake as I’d told the Lovely Girlfriend how good they were and I’m not sure she believed me. She believes me now. They were on top form; taking shots at our leaders, taking shots at themselves, being sweet and rude, with a touching song in the second half that must have been very personal and difficult to express but which received the biggest applause for any one song. I think what attracts me the most is their lyrical word play. They’re just so fucking clever and funny with it.
If you get the chance, if they’re coming to a theatre near you, book your tickets and go and see them. These three ladies (and one fabulous gent on the piano) are what you need in your life, especially right now.
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