Photo History

Have you ever wondered what the girls looked like when they were young(er)? After raking through her archives Dillie produced a few photographs of the group from the early days of FA.

The original FA get ready for their first TV appearance. JULY 1983
The girls pose in their new frocks which had been made for their first ever TV performance.
The song was "Herpes Tango" and the show was "On The Fringe", a comedy / cabaret series made by HTV in Wales.
Chris Barrie (of Red Dwarf fame) also made his TV debut on the very same show!
[From L to R: Dillie Keane, Marilyn Cutts and Lizzie Richardson]

1983
The First Official Photo of the Group

[From L to R: Lizzie Richardson, Dillie Keane and Marilyn Cutts.

Dillie and a couple of friends...

[From L to R: Dillie Keane, Lizzie Richardson and Marilyn Cutts]

Until May 2002 we were unable to locate any photos of the second incarnation of the group. Glenda Smith was only a member of Fascinating Aïda for a couple of months and the group were too busy working (including regular appearances on TV-AM and their only pantomime) to spend much time in front of a camera.

The second incarnation of the group.

The above photo is the only official picture of the second incarnation of the group. It was taken in late 1983 for the FA Christmas card of that year.
[From L to R: Glenda Smith, Marilyn Cutts and Dillie Keane.
The photo was kindly supplied by Glenda Smith.

In January 1984 Glenda Smith left the group and was replaced by Adèle Anderson...

The first official photo with Adèle.

1984
The First Official Photo of the Third Incarnation of the Group.
This is Dillie's all-time favourite photograph.
[From L to R: Adèle Anderson, Marilyn Cutts, Dillie Keane]
Photograph taken by Michael Mayhew.

1985
Another studio photograph.
[From L to R: Adèle Anderson, Dillie Keane, Marilyn Cutts]

July 1985
A rare photograph of the girls on stage. By this time they had featured in a BBC television "40 Minutes" documentary and were now enjoying great success as they toured the UK and Ireland.

July 1985
Another photograph from the same show as the previous shot. The different frocks suggest that this photo was taken during the second Act of the show. The song is almost certainly 'Sew on a Sequin.'

Marilyn Cutts left the group in March 1986. Dillie and Adèle spent the next few months writing the autobiography of the group (Fascinating Who?) which was to be published in the Autumn of that year.

In July 1986, Denise Wharmby flew in from Australia to join the girls and made her debut in August at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

An early shot of the fourth incarnation of the group probably dating from late Summer 1986.
[From L to R: Dillie Keane, Adèle Anderson, Denise Wharmby]

In the Spring of 1987 the girls broke new ground with their first ever West End run. The show was a great hit and its was extended to almost twice its original length.
This photo is one of the publicity shots from the show.

A publicity shot from the UK tour in late 1987

The girls always choose the most glamorous locations for their publicity photos!

In 1987 the girls were commisioned by the BBC TV consumer affairs show, "That's Life" to write and perform a song about one unfortunate woman's attempt to sell her house.
This particular commission was unusual as instead of following the usual pattern of having the girls perform the song in the studio, the BBC opted to make a video on location instead.

Following the success of the first West End run, the girls embarked on their biggest tour which was sponsored by "The Bank of Ireland".
This photo was used on the front cover of the programme from the tour.
The frocks are by David Fielden.

In March 1989, Fascinating Aida began their farewell run at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. The last show before the girls split up was on Saturday 15th April 1989 and the audience consisted of members of BAFFA. After the show, the girls hosted a party for their fans. All the photos in this section were taken at the party.

Marilyn Cutts and a fan. Marilyn Cutts (right) returned to sing one last song at the final performance. None of the audience knew that she would be making an appearance and the reaction from the audience ecstatic.

Dillie was determined to have a good time.... Dillie having a good time.

Dillie and Marilyn Dillie and Marilyn.

Adèle poses for a photo with a fan. Adele and a fan.


An early shot of the fourth incarnation of the group probably dating from late Summer 1986. [From L to R: Dillie Keane, Adèle Anderson, Denise Wharmby]


In the Spring of 1987 the girls broke new ground with their first ever West End run. The show was a great hit and its was extended to almost twice its original length. This photo is one of the publicity shots from the show.


A publicity shot from the UK tour in late 1987


The girls always choose the most glamorous locations for their publicity photos!

	In 1987 the girls were commisioned by the BBC TV consumer affairs show, "That's Life" to write and perform a song about one unfortunate woman's attempt to sell her house. This particular commission was unusual as instead of following the usual pattern of having the girls perform the song in the studio, the BBC opted to make a video on location instead.


Following the success of the first West End run, the girls embarked on their biggest tour which was sponsored by "The Bank of Ireland". This photo was used on the front cover of the programme from the tour. The frocks are by David Fielden.

In March 1989, Fascinating Aida began their farewell run at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. The last show before the girls split up was on Saturday 15th April 1989 and the audience consisted of members of BAFFA. After the show, the girls hosted a party for their fans. All the photos in this section were taken at the party.
	Marilyn Cutts (right) returned to sing one last song at the final performance. None of the audience knew that she would be making an appearance and the reaction from the audience ecstatic.
Dillie was determined to have a good time....
	Dillie and Marilyn.
Adèle poses for a photo with a fan.