Elaine Paige

Infobox musical artist
Name = Elaine Paige


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Img_capt = Elaine Paige at BBC Radio 2's "Voice of Musical Theatre" gala final in 2006.
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Elaine Mary BickerstaffGans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/print/65167?id=65167 Diva Talk: Meet Broadway's New Norma, Elaine Paige] . "Playbill", 1996-09-11. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.]
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Born = 5 March 1948 (age age|1948|3|5)
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Origin = Barnet, London, England
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Occupation = Singer, actress
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laurenceolivierawards = Best Actress in a Musical
1978 "Evita"

Elaine Paige OBE (née Bickerstaff;Fox, Sue. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/article423487.ece Relative Values: Elaine Paige, singer, and her sister, Marion] . "The Times", 2004-05-23. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.] born 5 March 1948) is an English singer and actress, best known for her work in musical theatre. Raised in Barnet, North London, Paige attended the Aida Foster stage school and made her first professional appearance on stage in 1964. Her appearance in the 1968 production of "Hair" marked her West End debut.

Following a number of roles over the next decade, Paige was selected to play Eva Perón in the first production of "Evita" in 1978, which brought her to the attention of the broader public. The role won her the Laurence Olivier Award for Performance of the Year in a Musical. She went on to originate the role of Grizabella in "Cats" and had a Top 10 hit with "Memory", a song from the show. In 1985, Paige released "I Know Him So Well" with Barbara Dickson from the musical "Chess", which remains the biggest-selling record by a female duo, according to the "Guinness Book of Records". She then appeared in the original stage production of "Chess", followed by a starring role in "Anything Goes" which she also co-produced. Paige made her Broadway debut in "Sunset Boulevard" in 1996, playing the lead role of Norma Desmond, to critical acclaim. She appeared in "The King and I" from 2000 to 2001, and six years later she returned to the West End stage in "The Drowsy Chaperone". She has also worked in film and television.

In addition to being nominated for five Laurence Olivier Awards, Paige has won many other awards for her theatre roles and has been called the First Lady of British Musical Theatre. She has released 20 solo albums, of which eight were consecutively certified gold and another four multi-platinum. Paige is also featured on seven cast albums and has sung in concerts across the world. Since 2004 she has hosted her own show on BBC Radio 2 called "Elaine Paige on Sunday".

Background

Paige was raised in Barnet, North London, where her father worked as an estate agent and her mother was a milliner. Her mother had been a singer in her youth, and her father was an amateur drummer. Paige stands at just under 5 feet (1.5 m) tall, which she says has caused her to lose out on leading roles. [http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/9851/Elaine-is-a-little-cross Elaine is a little cross] . "The Daily Express", 2007-06-14. Retrieved on 2007-01-21.] Her original ambition was to become a professional tennis player, at which point her headmistress pointed out to her "they'd never see you over the net",Copstick, Kate. [http://living.scotsman.com/features/A-new-Paige.2820316.jp A new Paige] . "The Scotsman", 2006-10-21. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.] but Paige continued to play tennis and has referred to the sport as one of her passions. [http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/stories/s1478589.htm Actress and singer Elaine Paige] . abc.net.au, 2005-10-11. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.]

At 14, Paige listened to the film soundtrack of "West Side Story", which evoked the desire for a career in musical theatre.Barnett, Laura. [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/theatre/drama/story/0,,2085160,00.html Portrait of the artist: Elaine Paige, actor] . "The Guardian", 2007-05-22. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.] Paige's musical ability was encouraged by her school music teacher, Ann Hill, whom Paige has referred to as "visionary". Paige's first role on stage was playing Susanna in a school production of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro", [http://www.lupus.org.uk/article.php?i=159 Angie Davidson Interviews Elaine Paige] . lupus.org.uk. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.] which was followed by parts in "The Boy Mozart" and solos in Handel's "Messiah"; "a difficult work for little children". Her father suggested that she should go to drama school, so she attended the Aida Foster stage school. After graduating, her first job was modelling children's clothing at the Ideal Home Exhibition.

Career

Early career – 1980: West End debut and "Evita"

Paige's first professional appearance on stage was during the UK tour of the Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse musical "The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd" in 1964, playing the role of a Chinese urchin. At the age of 20, she made her West End debut in "Hair" on 27 September 1968, remaining in the cast until March 1970. [http://www.elainepaige.com/shows.html Elaine Paige Shows] . Elaine Paige Official Website. Retrieved on 2008-07-02.] While also being an understudy for the character of Sheila,Fessier, Bruce. [http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080810/LIFESTYLES01/808100325/1050/lifestyles01 Keep turning the Paige] . "The Desert Sun", 2008-08-10. Retrieved on 2008-08-14.] she played a member of the tribe in the chorus, for which role she was required to be naked on stage in one scene. She appeared very briefly in the 1968 film "Oliver!", [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008ckjf Programmes - Ron Moody] . BBC, 2007-11-25. Retrieved on 2008-05-21.] and over the next decade, she played roles in various musicals, including "Jesus Christ Superstar"; "Nuts"; "Grease", in which she played the lead role of Sandy from 1973 to 1974; "Billy", from 1974 to 1975 playing Rita;Barber, Lynn. [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/life/story/0,,193966,00.html Show girl] . "The Guardian", 2000-05-16. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.] and "The Boyfriend", as Maisie (1975–1976). In 1973, she had been considered as the lead in "The Rocky Horror Show" instead of Julie Covington.

After months of acting and singing auditions, Hal Prince offered the still relatively unknown Paige the title role of Eva Perón in Tim Rice's and Andrew Lloyd Webber's first stage production of the musical "Evita".Qiao, Michelle. [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/citylife/2006-12/12/content_756553.htm Elaine Paige sings to Shanghai] . "China Daily", 2006-12-12. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4665128.stm Lloyd Webber to revive Evita show] . BBC News, 2006-01-31. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.] Her performance won her critical acclaim and brought her into public prominence at the age of 30. Paige was actually the second choice for the part after Julie Covington, but Covington had turned the opportunity down.Logan, Brian. [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article1877776.ece The turning of the Paige] . "The Times", 2007-06-04. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.] For her performance in "Evita", she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Performance of the Year in a Musical, [http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/olivier_awards/past_winners/view/item98512/Olivier-Winners-1978/ The Nominees and Winners of The Laurence Olivier Awards for 1978] . Society of London Theatre. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.] the Society of West End Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Variety Club Award for Showbusiness Personality of the Year. [http://london.broadway.com/story/id/3005525 Elaine Paige to Return to the West End in B'way Hit The Drowsy Chaperone] . london.broadway.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.] She played the role for 20 months in total, from 1978 to 1980. She also released her first studio album in 1978, entitled "Sitting Pretty".Shenton, Mark. [http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/5548 Turning another Paige - Elaine Paige] . "The Stage", 2004-12-10. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.] Prior to her success in "Evita", Paige had strongly considered becoming a nursery nurse, but after she sang for Dustin Hoffman, he made her promise that she would continue in theatre work.

1981–1993: Cats and Chess era

Paige went on to portray some of Lloyd Webber's most notable female characters, creating the role of Grizabella in the original production of "Cats" from 11 May 1981 to 13 February 1982. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/1761508.stm Record-breaking Cats bows out] . BBC News, 2002-01-15. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.] Marks, Peter. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A05EEDB133FF932A35752C1A96E958260 Cover Story; Broadway's 'Cats': Restaged for Eternity (And We Thought They Were Kidding!)] . "The New York Times", 1998-11-01. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.] She took on the role late in the rehearsal process when the actress Judi Dench had to withdraw due to a torn achilles tendon. Paige's performance of the song "Memory" from "Cats", with which she had a Top 10 hit, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7494279.stm Elaine Paige launches eisteddfod] . BBC News, 2008-07-09. Retrieved on 2008-07-13.] is her signature piece.Price, Karen. [http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/2008/06/27/elaine-paige-the-first-lady-of-theatre-91466-21157694/ Elaine Paige - the First Lady of Theatre] . "Western Mail", 2008-06-27. Retrieved on 2008-06-29.] The single reached number 5 in the UK charts and has since been recorded by a further 160 artists. [Milner, Catherine. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1393913/Lloyd-Webber%27s-Cats-give-their-final-miaow.html Lloyd Webber's Cats give their final miaow] . "The Daily Telegraph", 2002-12-05. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.] She reprised the role of Grizabella for the video release of "Cats" in 1998, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/184239.stm Paws and play - Cats goes to video] . BBC News, 1998-10-01. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.] one of only two performers in the film from the original London cast. Paige's website claims that the video soon became the bestselling music video in the UK and America. [http://www.elainepaige.com/home.html Elaine Paige Biography] . Elaine Paige Official Website. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.]

Paige had a starring role in the 1983 production of "Abbacadabra", written by former ABBA members, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson,Blackman, Jaine. [http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/2006/6/30/270015.html Elaine Page & Michael Ball - The Rec] . "Swindon Advertiser", 2006-07-15. Retrieved on 2007-01-19.] in which she played the role of Carabosse. [http://www.elainepaige.com/career_profile.html Elaine Paige career profile] . Elaine Paige Official Website. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.] She then originated the role of Florence for the 1984 concept album of "Chess", with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Ulvaeus and Andersson. [ [http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821200054342 Groban & Menzel Star in Chess at Royal Albert Hall] . whatsonstage.com, 2008-01-11. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.] Her albums, "Stages" (1983), and "Cinema" (1984), rejoined the cast recording of "Chess" in the UK top 40 chart, giving her three consecutive successful albums. In 1984, Paige released "I Know Him So Well", a duet from "Chess", singing with Barbara Dickson. The single held the number 1 position in the British singles charts for four weeks,Corliss, Richard. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963352,00.html A Hit Show for the Record] . "Time", 1985-03-18. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.] and still remains the biggest-selling record by a female duo, according to the "Guinness Book of Records". [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/you-ask-the-questions-such-as-so-elaine-paige-have-you-ever-sung-in-a-karaoke-bar-714262.html You ask the questions (Such as: so, Elaine Paige, have you ever sung in a karaoke bar?)] . "The Independent", 2000-06-07. Retrieved on 2008-01-29.] From 1986 to 1987, Paige appeared as Florence in the stage production of "Chess", a role that earned her another Laurence Olivier Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Musical. [http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/olivier_awards/past_winners/view/item98521/Olivier-Winners-1986/ The Nominees and Winners of The Laurence Olivier Awards for 1986] . Society of London Theatre. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.] She next sang at the White House in 1988.

Paige then took on the part of Reno Sweeney in the musical production of "Anything Goes", which she co-produced and starred in from 1989 to 1990. Patti Lupone was appearing as Sweeney on Broadway around that time, so Paige sought to become the co-producer of the West End production as a way to secure the role there before Lupone could take it.Shenton, Mark. [http://london.broadway.com/story/id/3007637 Elaine Paige] . london.broadway.com, 2007-06-11. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.] Playing Reno Sweeney was Paige's first experience using an American accent on stage, [Trucco, Terry. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DEFDC163BF936A15754C0A96F948260 A London Accent for 'Anything Goes'] . "The New York Times", 1989-07-25. Retrieved on 2008-03-21.] and the part secured her third nomination for an Olivier Award. [http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/olivier_awards/past_winners/view/item98524/Olivier-Winners-1990/ The Nominees and Winners of The Laurence Olivier Awards for 1989/90] . Society of London Theatre. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.] Beyond her theatre roles, she appeared in the television programme "Unexplained Laughter" in 1989 alongside Diana Rigg.

In 1993, Paige embarked on a run as famed French chanteuse Édith Piaf in Pam Gems' musical play, "Piaf", to critical acclaim. "The Guardian" wrote that Paige was "a magnificent, perfect Piaf". She had originally signed up for a year but was forced to leave the production early due to exhaustion. The demanding play required Paige to sing 15 songs, some in French, and to be on stage for 2 hours 40 minutes in total. For her portrayal of Piaf, she was nominated for a fourth Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, [http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/olivier_awards/past_winners/view/item98528/Olivier-Winners-1994/ The Nominees and Winners of The Laurence Olivier Awards for 1994] . Society of London Theatre. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.] and she subsequently released an album, entitled "Piaf", containing Édith Piaf songs. [ [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Piaf-Elaine-Paige/dp/B000024BRL/ref=pd_bbs_sr_14?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1203437574&sr=8-14 Piaf] . Amazon. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.]

1994–2001: Sunset Boulevard and Broadway debut

In 1995, Paige was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth for her contributions to musical theatre. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6276605.stm Elaine Paige returns to West End] . BBC News, 2007-01-18. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.]

Paige stepped into the role of Norma Desmond in Lloyd Webber's West End production of "Sunset Boulevard" in 1994, when Betty Buckley was ill, before taking over the part full time the following year. She then won the Variety Club Award for Best Actress of the Year, and was nominated for a best actress Olivier Award in 1996 for her performance in the musical. [http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/olivier_awards/past_winners/view/item98530/Olivier-Winners-1996/ The Nominees and Winners of The Laurence Olivier Awards for 1996] . Society of London Theatre. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.] She then transferred to the American production to make her Broadway debut at the Minskoff Theatre on 12 September 1996, staying with the show until it closed on 22 March 1997. [Weber, Bruce. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9500E4DC133BF937A15750C0A961958260 The Fans Kept Howling for More, but That's All There Was] . "The New York Times", 1997-03-24. Retrieved on 2008-07-11.] On the "Sunset Boulevard" set in Broadway, the staircase steps reportedly had to be raised six inches (15 cm) in order to accommodate Paige's short stature, or it would have been hard to see her behind the banister.Brantley, Ben. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A02E7D8163AF930A2575AC0A960958260&scp=3&sq=elaine+paige&st=nyt Growth Factor: It's a Force of Will] . "The New York Times", 1996-09-13. Retrieved on 2008-03-27.] Paige received largely positive reviews for her New York performance as Norma Desmond: "The lush sound and the sheer power of her voice are, to put it simply, incredible", wrote one critic, whilst another said "Her voice has great range, remarkable clarity and emotional force". [Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/print/65184?id=65184 Diva Talk: Elaine Shines/ Betty Sings] . "Playbill", 1996-09-13. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.] Paige was the first Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard" to sing one of the show's key songs, "With One Look", which she did first at Lloyd Webber's wedding to Madeleine Gurdon, although at the time the song was called "Just One Glance". Lloyd Webber noted, regarding Paige's performance of "As If We Never Said Goodbye", that it was "as good, if not the best, of anything I've ever heard". Although she had been disappointed when she hoped to perform on Broadway in "Evita", "Cats" and "Chess", Paige stated of her Broadway debut, "It was just the most perfect time to go with that particular show". After "Sunset Boulevard" finished, she suffered from depression, commenting that the show's closing "was the most terrible feeling. ... I'd felt I'd lost something so very important to me. I thought it had died and gone away".Barber, Richard. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20000416/ai_n14507971 Getting to know me: Elaine Paige] . "Daily Mirror", 2000-04-16. Retrieved from findarticles.com on 2008-01-06.]

Arts commentator Melvyn Bragg hosted a special edition of "The South Bank Show" about Paige's career in 1996, entitled "The Faces of Elaine Paige".Torreano, Bradley. [http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/paige_elaine/artist.jhtml#bio Elaine Paige Biography] . MTV. Retrieved on 2008-03-29.] The episode saw her visiting parts of the world where plays she had starred in had been set. In 1997, Paige made her United States concert debut when she opened the Boston Pops season, which was aired on WGBH in America. [Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/print/65304?id=65304 Diva Talk: Together at Last (Again): Elaine in Boston; Patti in London] . "Playbill", 1997-05-16. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.] The following year, she made a guest star appearance at Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday celebration at the Royal Albert Hall. [Van Gelder, Lawrence. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9802E3DB113AF934A35757C0A96E958260 Footlights] . "The New York Times", 1998-04-07. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.] During the birthday tribute show, she sang "Memory" and "Don't Cry for Me Argentina", two songs from her past musical productions by Lloyd Webber. Paige's next role was Célimène in the non-musical play "Le Misanthrope" in 1998, but she admitted that she missed the musical element and that the silence was slightly unsettling to her. A Lifetime Achievement Award from The National Operatic and Dramatic Association soon followed. She later performed alongside Bette Midler in a 1999 New York concert to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. [Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/65911.html Diva Talk: Charitable Divas and More] . "Playbill", 1999-05-07. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.]

From 2000 to 2001, she starred as Anna in an acclaimed revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The King and I" at the London Palladium. Paige had turned down an offer for the role the first time she was approached, but later accepted, admitting that she had "forgotten what a fantastic score it was", [Low, Valentine. [http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/article-583251-details/New+Paige+turns+for+King+and+I/article.do New Paige turns for "King and I"] . "The London Evening Standard", 2000-04-25. Retrieved on 2007-01-21.] although she did question her own suitability for the role. Before the opening, the box office had already taken in excess of £7 million in ticket sales. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/736088.stm King and I opens in triumph] . BBC News, 2000-05-04. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.] The critic for "The Independent" commented, "It may well be impossible to be a success as Evita and a success as Anna", [Butler, Robert. [http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre/features/all-dressed-up-but-going-nowhere-718380.html All dressed up but going nowhere] . "The Independent", 2000-05-08. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.] whereas "The Spectator" asserted that the role further strengthened her title as the "First Lady of British Musical Theatre". [Morley, Sheridan. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3724/is_200005/ai_n8884622 The first lady sings] . "The Spectator", 2000-05-13. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.]

2002–present: Radio and return to West End

Paige sang at the opening of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, and then made her Los Angeles concert debut at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. [Ehren, Christine. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/67798.html Elaine Paige Sings for Olympics Feb. 15-16; Makes L.A. Concert Debut Feb. 20-21] . "Playbill", 2002-02-15. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.] In 2003, she played Angèle in "Where There's a Will", directed by Peter Hall. She next sang the role of Mrs Lovett in the New York City Opera production of Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" in March 2004, [Zinoman, Jason. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0DE7D91038F933A05752C0A9629C8B63 On Stage And Off] . "The New York Times", 2004-01-30. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.] earning positive reviews from critics, [ [http://www.sondheim.org/php/news.php?id=1563 New York City Opera's Sweeney Todd reviews] . The Stephen Sondheim Society, 2004-03-12. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.] and a nomination for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. [Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/100492.html Elaine Paige to Record New Theatre Album] . "Playbill", 2006-06-25. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.] Paige then embarked upon a UK tour which was entitled "No Strings Attached". [Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/83504.html Elaine Paige to Launch "No Strings Attached Tour" in May] . "Playbill", 2003-12-25. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.]

In September 2004, Paige began a weekly radio show, "Elaine Paige on Sunday", on BBC Radio 2, featuring music from musical theatre and film. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3531472.stm Lulu stars in new Radio 2 line-up] . BBC News, 2004-08-03. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.] In an unfavourable review, the show was described by Elisabeth Mahoney of "The Guardian" as "a chilly, alienating listening experience" and a "rare wrong move" on the part of Radio 2. [Mahoney, Elisabeth. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv_and_radio/story/0,,1495278,00.html Shrill by mouth] . "The Guardian", 2005-05-30. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.] Lisa Martland of "The Stage" agreed that "it is by far the music that brings me back to the programme ... and not her lightweight presenting style". [Martland, Lisa. [http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/16667/radio-light-programme Radio - light programme] . "The Stage", 2007-04-30. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.] However, the show regularly attracts 3 million listeners, and interviews are also featured each week. [Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/87834.html West End Star Elaine Paige to Host BBC Radio Program ] . "Playbill", 2004-08-11. Retrieved on 2008-06-24.] Paige also focused on television appearances, playing Dora Bunner in the 2005 ITV adaptation of Agatha Christie's "A Murder is Announced" in the "Marple" series, before performing a guest role as a post mistress in "Where the Heart Is".Marlow, Will. [http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/rock_and_pop/s/225/225726_elaines_still_a_paige_turner.html Rock and pop] . "Manchester Evening News", 2006-10-17. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.] The episode of "Marple" was watched by 7.78 million viewers, [ [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&RequestTimeout=500 Weekly Viewing Summary. See w.e 02/01/05] . Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.] and "Where the Heart Is" was seen by 6.34 million. [ [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&RequestTimeout=500 Weekly Viewing Summary. See w.e 10/07/05] . Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.]

In 2006, Paige released her first full studio album of new recordings in 12 years, entitled "Essential Musicals". The album included popular songs from musicals identified by a poll on her radio show, in which 400,000 listeners voted. Paige has recorded 20 solo albums in total, of which eight were consecutively certified gold and another four multi-platinum, and she has been featured on seven cast albums. More recently, she has collaborated with the duo Secret Garden in recording the song "The Things You Are to Me" for their 2007 album, "Inside I'm Singing". [Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/113255.html Paige, Streisand and More Featured on Secret Garden's "Inside I'm Singing" CD] . "Playbill", 2007-12-04. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.] Paige has also appeared in concert in Scandinavia, Hong Kong, Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. [ [http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/9724 Paige starts Antipodes tour] . "The Stage", 2005-09-20. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.] On 20 and 21 December 2006, she performed in concert in Shanghai, extending her concert tour to two dates to satisfy demand. Explaining in 2006 why she had not taken a role in a musical for many years, she stated that "there's been nothing that I've wanted to do, and if you're going to commit to a year at the theatre, six days a week, and have no life, then it's got to be something that you want to do with all your heart". She also affirmed that she believes for older actors it becomes harder to obtain theatre roles.Bishop, Caroline. [http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/interviews/view/item71958/Elaine-Paige/ The Big Interview: Elaine Paige] . Society of London Theatre, 2007-06-06. Retrieved on 2007-01-06.]

In 2007, Paige returned to the West End stage for the first time in six years, as the Chaperone/Beatrice Stockwell in "The Drowsy Chaperone" at the Novello Theatre. [Baluch, Lalayn. [http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/17389/west-ends-the-drowsy-chaperone-to-close-in West End’s The Drowsy Chaperone to close in August] . "The Stage", 2007-07-10. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.] The production ran for a disappointing 96 performances, [Hastings, Chris and Jones, Beth. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/29/ntheatre129.xml Early curtain call for 25 West End shows] . "The Daily Telegraph", 2007-07-29. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.] although it had opened to a standing ovation from the audience and a generally optimistic reaction from critics. [Ouzounian, Richard. [http://www.thestar.com/columnists/article/223017 Drowsy Chaperone wakes up British critics] . "The Star", 2007-06-08. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.] "The Daily Telegraph" wrote, "Elaine Paige is a good sport ... enduring jokes about her reputation for being 'difficult' with a grin that doesn't seem all that forced. ... Only the self-importantly serious and the chronically depressed will fail to enjoy this preposterously entertaining evening". [Spencer, Charles. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/arts/2007/06/07/btdrowsy07.xml Frothy and inane, but curiously touching] . "The Daily Telegraph", 2007-06-07. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.] Paul Taylor from "The Independent" was less impressed and wrote "a miscast Elaine Paige manages to be unfunny to an almost ingenious degree as the heroine's bibulous minder". [Taylor, Paul. [http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre/reviews/the-drowsy-chaperone-novello-theatre-london--none-onestar-twostar-threestar-fourstar-fivestar-452288.html The Drowsy Chaperone, Novello Theatre, London] . "The Independent", 2007-06-08. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.] For her performance, Paige was nominated for a What's On Stage Award in the category of Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. [http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821196963180 WOS Theatregoers' Choice Nominees Announced] . whatsonstage.com, 2007-12-07. Retrieved on 2008-02-22.]

On 28 July 2007, Paige appeared on a special celebrity version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" with Michael Ball to raise money for charity, winning £64,000 in a combined effort. Paige danced the Tango on "Sport Relief does Strictly Come Dancing" with Matt Dawson in March 2008 to raise money for Sport Relief, where Paige and Dawson came second overall. [ [http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/tv/todaystv/2008/03/14/sport-relief-89520-20350839/ Sport Relief] . "The Daily Mirror", 2008-03-14. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.] She opened the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July 2008, performing some of her well-known songs from her 40-year career. [ [http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/features/Elaine-Paige-to-open-latest.3673547.jp Elaine Paige to open latest chapter of International Musical Eisteddfod] . "Wrexham Evening Leader", 2008-01-15. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.] She will next start her world tour, with dates in China, America and Australia.

To celebrate 40 years since her professional stage debut, in October 2008 Paige released a picture-based autobiography, "Memories" and announced both UK and international tours to include songs from throughout her career. The written content of the book is brief and contains little information not already revealed in interviews, but it includes a number of previously unreleased private photographs.

Personal life

Paige has neither married nor had children, although she had an 11-year affair with the lyricist Tim Rice throughout the 1980s. [Bertodano, Helena de. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2001/01/25/barice25.xml Tunes are child's play] . "The Daily Telegraph". Retrieved on 2008-01-06.] She has said that she wanted to have children, but "it's a wonderful life I have, so I'm very fulfilled in other ways".

During the run of "Sunset Boulevard" at the Adelphi Theatre in 1995, Paige discovered a lump in her breast, prompting her to consult her doctor, who at first reassured her there was nothing to be concerned about.Hardy, Rebecca. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/womenfamily.html?in_article_id=301138&in_page_id=1799 Elaine's close curtain call] . "The Daily Mail", 2004-05-08. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.] She returned twice, and her doctor subsequently sent her for tests that confirmed the lump was cancerous, nine months after she discovered it. [Cummins, Fiona. [http://www.mirror.co.uk/archive/2004/05/08/elaine-s-secret-breast-cancer-battle-89520-14221097/ Elaine's Secret Breast Cancer Battle] . "Daily Mirror", 2004-05-08. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.] She continued her role in the production and stated, "When I did the show I became very emotional. Some of the lyrics suddenly took on an entirely different meaning. Words like, 'as if we never said goodbye' became more real". Paige went in for day surgery on a Sunday due to her theatre commitments, had five years of medical treatment and completed a radiation programme. She spoke for the first time of her encounter with breast cancer in a 2004 interview, and has since described the period as "the most awful thing that’s happened to me in my life". During her time in "The King and I", her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Despite Paige wanting to pull out of the show, her mother insisted that she should continue until her contract had finished, and Paige's sister, Marion Billings, admitted, "That was very hard for Elaine, having to go on stage night after night knowing she wanted to be with Mum".

Paige has sometimes been described as "difficult". "The Times"' Brian Logan wrote, "Paige is not exactly known for her humility. In newspaper profiles, that dread word 'difficult' is often applied". On one occasion, she told a male interviewer that she was going to stop giving interviews to female reporters because, in her own words, "I don't trust other women in these situations. They establish a sisterhood with you and then betray it every time". What was perceived to be a cold side to her personality was also noted by Logan, but Paige has expressed that a common misconception of her is that she is confident and very serious.Dykes, Andy. [http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article2539335.ece The 5-Minute Interview: Elaine Paige, Singer, actor and broadcaster] . "The Independent", 2007-05-14. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.] Another editor perceived her to be "refreshingly down-to-earth" and "very friendly".

Paige is a patron of a number of charities. She supports the Breast Cancer Care and The Lupus Trust, after being diagnosed as a Lupus sufferer in 1989. [Burne, Jerome. Living with lupus. "The Times", 2004-06-07. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.] Paige has been involved with The Children's Trust for 15 years, as well as choosing one other charity to support every year, such as Red Cross. She also supports Everychild, for whom she made a publicised trip to Peru in February 2003. [ [http://www.everychild.org.uk/content/elainepaige Elaine Paige] . everychild.org.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-10.]

Views on theatre

Though Paige has enjoyed a long career in musical theatre, she rarely goes to watch musicals, much preferring to watch films or plays.Ellis, James. [http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/interviews/article.html?in_article_id=914&in_page_id=11 Elaine Page Interview] . "Metro", 2001-01-05. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.] Furthermore, she considers herself primarily an actress before a singer, stating, "I really prefer to be in character". Comparing the work of Rodgers and Hammerstein to that of Lloyd Webber, Paige has said that she finds Rodgers and Hammerstein more difficult and formal to sing, and described it as challenging. She concluded, "it's a quieter kind of singing, more controlled, not belting it out".

Paige has spoken of the physical demands of performing in theatre: "Musical theatre is the hardest thing any actor will ever do. You become obsessive about sleeping, eating the right food, not speaking and giving yourself vocal rest and keeping exercised". She said of the pressure of having to be in a fit condition to perform in theatre each night that "you wouldn't want to read the letters people write when you're off and they're disappointed - it's so awful, the guilt one feels for not being there". As part of a rigorous routine before musical roles to look after her voice, Paige stops eating dairy products and drinking alcohol and also focuses on keeping fit. After about three months into the production when her voice is tiring from performing, she even gives up her social life, sometimes only communicating by notepad and fax. She also never reads her reviews from critics, finding that it is not helpful to have too many opinions.

Paige has named reality television series such as "Any Dream Will Do", which aim to find an unknown actor to play the lead role in a musical, as the greatest threat to theatre today, believing that "actors already striving in the theatre wouldn't dream of putting themselves on these shows". In a later interview, she questioned the seriousness of the actors auditioning for these types of shows: "you wouldn't put yourself up for one of those shows in case you got bumped off the first week and all your colleagues saw it". She has also expressed a wish for more new musicals to be put into production, instead of frequent revivals.

tage roles

References

External links

* [http://www.elainepaige.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/paige BBC Radio 2 - Elaine Paige] at bbc.co.uk
*imdb name|id=0656704|name=Elaine Paige
* [http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=78068 Elaine Paige] at the Internet Broadway Database
* [http://www.breastcancercampaign.org/whatwedo/ UK Breast Cancer Campaign official website]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow/backstage/interviews.shtml Elaine Paige appearing on BBC's The One Show]