TWENTY years after making their first tentative steps on to the boards Dillie Keane, Adele Anderson and Marilyn Cutts are making one last tour of the provinces with their farewell show.

Described as being a cross between Jacques Brel and the Andrews Sisters, Fascinating Aida are probably best known for singing songs about love and sex.

Over the years their hilarious act has established them as one of Britain's favourite theatrical cabaret acts.

Always painfully humorous and bitingly satirical they have gathered a host of awards and been nominated for two Larries.

They claim their act reflects 'the age we're in and the age we're at' and are currently not making a very good job of pretending that the only purpose of the final tour is 'to top up our pensions'.

In fact Fascinating Aida are quitting while still at the height of their powers. Dillie Keane says she could never have

imagined 20 years ago that they would still be playing the circuit at the beginning of the 21st century.

However, young faces can often be seen in their audiences.

"Oh there are always a few new people who get dragged along to see us," she says.

One assumes they are seldom disappointed as Fascinating Aida are well worth seeing. Their bittersweet satire and blissfully poignant songs address not just sex and relationships but also apocalyptic weapons of mass destruction, the dubious delights of Little Chef restaurants and 101 things you can do with a pair of tights.

18 & 19 July, Theatre Royal Winchester. Performance: 8pm. Tickets: from £12.50. Box office: 01962 840440.