On September 23rd, 2008 The National Theatre will be hosting Elaine Paige, the iconic star of Evita, Cats and Sunset Boulevard. Ms. Paige will celebrating 40 years on the stage with the release of her book Memories, a revealing insight into a dazzling life. Her reading will be followed by a book signing.
In 1978 Ms Paige was chosen by
Hal Prince to create the role of Eva Peron in the original production of “Evita” and she went on to sweep the boards with her award-winning performance in London’s West End (Society of West End Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Variety Club Award for Showbusiness Personality of the Year). In 1981 she starred in “Cats” when she played Grizabella in the original London production and thereby became the first actress to perform the classic song “Memory” - one of her many hit records. Ms Paige revisited this role in the television film and video of “Cats” which was released in 1998 and went straight to the top of the video charts becoming the best selling music video ever in the UK and America. Ms Paige’s first professional appearance was in the
Anthony Newley/
Leslie Bricusse musical “The Roar of the
Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd” (UK Tour). Many stage performances followed including “Roar Like A Dove” (Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham), “Rock Carmen” and “Maybe That’s Your Problem” (The Roundhouse, London).
Ms Paige’s West End debut was in “Hair” (Shaftesbury Theatre), and she went on to play in “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Palace Theatre), “Nuts” (
Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Company, Theatre Royal Stratford East), Sandy in “
Grease” (New London Theatre) and Rita in “Billy” (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane).
Ms Paige has recorded 20 solo albums, and she has garnered eight consecutive gold and four multi-platinum albums and 7 cast albums.
In 1996 Ms Paige made her Broadway debut in the role of Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard” at the Minskoff Theatre. She joined the company following her outstanding performance as Norma in London which gained critical acclaim, the Variety Club of Great Britain Award for Best Actress of the Year and a nomination for an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
Recent television work has included the role of Dora Bunner in
Agatha Christie's Ms Marple story A Murder is Announced for Granada/WGBH, and a guest star role in Where The Heart Is for Granada Television. In 2005 she completed her triumphant concert tour of Australia, New Zealand and the Far East and in 2006 she recorded a new album of stage songs entitled ‘Essential Musicals’ and then performed in a sell-out concert tour of Scandinavia and the UK prior to taking her new show to China in two highly successful performances at the Oriental Arts Centre in Shanghai in December and at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre in March 2007.
Ms Paige returned to the West End stage n 2007 for a run in the title role of the Broadway smash hit musical ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ at the Novello Theatre, London and enjoyed fantastic reviews. She has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance in the What's On Stage Awards.
2008 marks 40 years since Ms Paige's West End debut.
For more information on The National Theatre please visit www.NationalTheatre.org.uk
For more information on Elaine Page please visit www.ElainePaige.com
Photo by Nobby Clark
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