UK Theatre Network

Elaine Paige: Celebrating 40 Years On Stage

THEATRE ROYAL, NEWCASTLE

Monday 23 & Tuesday 24 February 2009

The legendary star of the West End and Broadway, Elaine Paige, is celebrating forty years on the stage with a magnificent concert in which she recreates many of her starring roles in the biggest musicals of the modern era.

The diminutive diva wowed last night’s audience with a powerhouse performance that included just about every song that she is famous for.

Paige looked stunning, in black trousers and a silver three-quarter length coat, as she made her entrance on stage to demonstrate just why she is renowned as the First Lady of musical theatre.

It is amazing that such a powerful voice emanates from such a petite lady – she stands at only 4’ 11” tall – and Miss Paige, herself, acknowledges in a rhyming couplet: “I may be short, I may be svelte but, bet your ass, this bitch can belt!”

Her lack of height and the problems that it posed early in her career are summed up in a witty song, written for her especially by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, entitled Small Packages.

In addition to the songs, Elaine also shared some fascinating anecdotes from her illustrious career, including the occasion when she was presented to the late Queen Mum and got stuck in a curtsy.

Paige performed some new material from her latest album, but it was her showstoppers that really brought the house down. She proved that, at 61, she still has what it takes and renditions of I Don’t Know How To Love Him (Jesus Christ Superstar), Hello Young Lovers (The King and I) and Don’t Cry For Me Argentina (Evita) received rapturous applause.

The second act opened with Miss Paige reprising the character of Norma Desmond, from Sunset Boulevard, in her original costume from the Broadway production, and delivering a fabulous performance of As If We Never Said Goodbye.

She also belted out numbers from Sweeney Todd, Anything Goes, Les Miserables and Piaf. The evening came to a close with Memory from Cats, With One Look from Sunset Boulevard and a standing ovation that elevated from the stalls to the gallery. Encore!

Steve Burbridge.