Attila the Stockbroker

The first time was on a Channel 4 programme called "Packet Of Three", on which, amongst other things, they performed a version of Otway's excellent cover of "Three Little Boys". In case anyone hasn't heard this yet, it is totally different to Rolf Harris's version (thankfully!), being up tempo and exciting, performed with a passion and relish that Mr. Harris could never muster - even with his wobble board!

The second time was at the Limelight Theatre in Aylesbury, where Attila and Otway were performing their (then) new rock opera - Cheryl. Anyone who has seen Otway a few times will know about the song "Cheryl's Going Home" - written by Bob Lind, this was released as an Otway single many years ago, and since then has been a staple part (usually near the end) of his live show. "Cheryl, A Rock Opera" was (unsurprisingly) a whole rock opera explaining the events leading up to, and surrounding, the reasons why Cheryl was going home.

Cheryl (from now on, this will mean the rock opera), was also released as an album (see Otway's Discography), and was subtitled as "an everyday tale of satanism, trainspotting, drug abuse and unrequieted love." That pretty much sums up the plot, but for those of you with no imagination, here is the basic story:-

Otway plays the part of a jilted lover (typecasting?) whom we meet in a train station having tried (unsuccessfully) to prevent the eponymous Cheryl from boarding a train to Slough. Attila plays a passer by, who tries to comfort the grieving Otway, and in listening to Otway's description of Cheryl, comes to realise that he had met her before, and had discussed with her the events leading to her departure, from a very different perspective.

The rest of the opera revolves around the two pictures that we get of Cheryl: Otway's rose tinted view of a misunderstood victim of circumstance, and Attila's view of a prostitute, druggie, vivisectionist, satanist and goat abuser. During the piece we meet a trainspotter, and learn how the joys of trainspotting, coupled with the usual British Rail delays, conspire to save Otway from an early death, and instead put him on the path to inner happiness through collecting numbers.

Cheryl is a very funny rock opera - best seen live, but still quite good even on the recording. There was talk of it being filmed for television, but I have yet to hear any more of that. Maybe one day (when Richard abandons him) Otway will get together with Attila and tour with it again. If that ever happens, go and see it, it's good.

The third time I saw Attila was again with Otway. I had gone to see John at the T&C2 club in London, and part way through the set a very drunk Attila clambered onto the stage to perform a German simultaneous translation of "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet". Despite the blood in his alcohol, he amazingly managed a perfect translation, and the result was a very funny performance. If anyone wants to hear what the German for "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" is, the song, with translation, is on Otway's album "Under the covers and over the top," which also has "Two little boys" on.

The final time that I saw Attila was on his own, doing his comedy/poetry routine. Personally I thought that, whilst it was quite amusing, it was a little too political for my tastes. Other people, however, found it hilarious, so if he's playing near you, it may be worth a trip.

You might also like to check out Attila's own web pages by clicking here.