FASCINATING Aïda founder and leader Dillie Keane plays Selby Town Hall on October 9 in one of only a handful of solo dates by the Irish cabaret star in 2016.

Dillie, who formed the satirical song trio in 1983, is "taking a short break from her Fascinating Aïda gal pals to present her first solo show in 557 years".

"With brand new tunes, grand old favourites, gorgeous songs of love and humorous songs of utter wickedness, I'll break your heart, mend it again and have it sent to the cleaners for pressing, and I'll give you my recipe for chutney while I'm at it," she says.

Dillie took part in the original incarnation of Grumpy Old Women Live with comedian Jenny Eclair and Birds Of A Feather actress Linda Robson and is an actress in her own right, having appeared in Dancing At Lughnasa and Charley's Aunt on tour; Juno And The Paycock at the Leicester Haymarket; The Plough And The Stars at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, and Present Laughter at Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

She performed in the premiere production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues in Dublin in 2002 and wrote the songs for Sandi Toksvig's musical comedy Big Night Out At The Little Palace Theatre, starring in the show at the Watford Palace Theatre with Toksvig and Bonnie Langford.

“Dillie Keane is the glue who binds our nation’s most bitingly funny satirical cabaret troupe together,” says Chris Jones, Selby Town Council's arts officer. “Fascinating Aïda have remained top of the pile for over 30 years and continue to produce songs that are searingly smart, occasionally naughty and fiercely relevant.

"This is one of a very select number of solo shows that Dillie will play this year and I’m really delighted to have secured a date. Fascinating Aïda can fill pretty sizeable venues, such as the Grand Opera House in York, so it’s great that we can bring some of that magic here to the intimate surroundings of the Selby Town Hall.”

Tickets for Dillie's 8pm show cost £18 on 01757 708449 or at selbytownhall.co.uk or £20 on the door from 7.30pm.