Elaine Paige: The First 50 Years

She’s the undisputed queen of the West End musical and she’s about to notch up a half-century in the business. But who is Elaine Paige and what have been her milestones along the way? Here, in an exclusive newcomers’ guide and with a little help from the lady herself, we look at a glittering career, not Paige by page, but by highlighting the outstanding chapters:

 


• I was in a school production of a Mozart comic opera. I took the conscious decision to let out a heartrending sob at the end of my aria and sank to my knees. There was a gasp from the audience who thought I’d forgotten my words. Didn’t they know I was acting? Obviously, my father did because he asked me afterwards whether I’d like to go to drama school. By the end of the year – I was 16 by then – I’d enrolled on a three-year course at the Aida Foster Stage School in Golders Green. While still at college, I was cast in a tour of Anthony Newley’s The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd.

• I was in the original production of Hair in 1968. Then I went on to appear in Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972 and, the following year, Grease with Paul Nicholas. I took over the lead role of Sandy while Paul replaced Richard Gere as Danny.

• The musical, Billy, was based on Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse. The title role was played by Michael Crawford, a hugely gifted actor but a perfectionist, as demanding of himself as of others. So, there were inevitable tears and walk-outs although no trouble between him and me.

• My 20s started well and then stalled. At 29, I was seriously considering giving up the business and training as a nursery nurse. What I didn’t know was that the big one was just around the corner. Nothing can ever compare to my landing the part of Evita in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mould-breaking musical. It was the most sought after role since the search to find the actress to play Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With The Wind, the defining moment of my career. The opening night, June 21, 1978, will be etched on my memory for as long as I live.

• After Evita, I began to worry I was a one-hit wonder. Driving home one night, the radio DJ played a new Andrew Lloyd Webber song, Memory. I went to sleep listening to this beautiful, haunting ballad, most of which I’d managed to tape when I got indoors. The phone rang the next morning. It was producer Cameron Mackintosh. Judi Dench had had to pull out of the production of Cats just days before previews began with a torn Achilles tendon. Could I take over? I was apprehensive but Cameron explained the part of Grizabella was a cameo with just one song. “It wouldn’t by any chance be called Memory?” I asked. I played the part for nine months in London and Memory became my signature song.

• Tim Rice wrote Chess with Benny and Bjorn from Abba. I was in the original London production in 1986 and then recorded the most famous song from the show, I Know Him So Well, with Barbara Dickson. It went to the top of the charts and became – and remains – the most successful female duet in the history of popular music.

• Playing Edith Piaf was one of the highlights of my career, a hugely taxing role that almost finished me off. This was a full-length drama with more than a dozen songs to perform in their entirety. But then I always say I’m an actress who sings rather than the other way around.

• To be honest, I should have created the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard but I wasn’t even asked to audition. The part went to Patti LuPone. In the end, Norma finally came to me when I was 50. In fact, it turned out to be my Broadway debut.

• In September, I celebrate 10 years hosting my Radio 2 show each Sunday and then I embark on a world concert tour starting with the UK in October. It’s in celebration of my 50 years in the business. I can hardly believe it but, if you’ll forgive the terrible old cliché, it really does feel as though it’s gone by in the blink of an eye.

 

• Elaine Paige will be playing at G-A-Y Heaven  (under the Arches, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2H 0NE) on Saturday 14th June. £5 entry wrist band from G-A-Y Bar. 

• For Elaine Paige’s 50th anniversary tour, visit www.gigsandtours.com or call 0844 811 0051  

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