Adèle Anderson (born 14 June 1952) is an English singer, actress, and lyricist best known as one third of the acclaimed cabaret trio Fascinating Aïda, which she joined in 1984, just a year after its formation. Her wit, distinctive contralto voice, and sharp lyrical sensibility have made her a beloved fixture of British musical theatre and cabaret for decades. Before finding fame, Anderson earned a degree in drama from Birmingham University, where she began her professional journey in theatre while still living publicly as a man. After graduation, she worked as a civil servant and a secretary, all the while preparing for a major personal transformation. Eventually, she reinvented herself as a jazz singer and performer, carving out a unique place in British cultural life. With Fascinating Aïda, Anderson earned a 1995 Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment. She frequently collaborates with fellow group member Dillie Keane to write many of the group’s satirical and poignant songs. The pair also co-wrote material for several hit musicals, including The Challenge and The Ten Commandments, both staged by Mercury Workshop, of which Anderson was a member.
Anderson's solo and ensemble stage credits are extensive and diverse, with performances in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Follies, Into the Woods, Sunset Boulevard, Closer to Heaven, Nine, Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, and Plan 9 from Outer Space – The Musical, among many others. She directed pantomimes, performed internationally, and collaborated with pianist Warren Wills on jazz/cabaret shows in London and abroad, including the Hong Kong Fringe Festival. Her film and television work includes roles in Lady Jane, Company Business, Hotel Babylon, Fish, New Tricks, and The Romanoffs. She also made a cameo and served as a consultant for the film Different for Girls. Outside of performance, Anderson is a passionate humanist. She is a patron of Humanists UK and later trained as a humanist celebrant, specializing in non-religious weddings. In 2010, she joined 54 other public figures in signing an open letter opposing Pope Benedict XVI’s state visit to the UK.
