Hello!
So here we are already in August – where has this year going?! It only seems like yesterday I was being ‘hissed’ and ‘booed’ at the London Palladium as Queen Rat in Dick Whittington. What a fantastic time that was. I really, really enjoyed myself and from everyone’s feedback it seemed you all did too. Hearing the roar of the audience every show was extraordinary. I used to love to stand in the wings watching the rest of the cast and enjoying the laughter that filled the theatre. The song The Twelve Days of Christmas with all the props was a favourite of mine; it was exhausting just watching them. And the reaction to Gary Wilmot’s “Tube Station’ song brought the house down, it stopped the show every night. Absolutely thrilling! Well straight after panto I went on a cruise to the Caribbean to recharge my batteries. But of course still found time to do my radio show, which believe it or not is heading towards the 15th year of being on air! How amazing it that? You all seem to continue to enjoy it because in February I was told we’d hit record listening figures for the show with over 2.38 million of you joining me every week! So we must be doing something right! Thank you and keep listening!
In February I spent a fantastic morning as a member of the Silver Swans at the Royal Academy of Dance headquarters with HRH Duchess of Cornwall, and ambassador, Angela Rippon. The Silver Swans programme is an initiative that delivers ballet classes especially designed for the over 55’s and those of us who have enjoyed dance throughout our life it gives the more mature of us an opportunity to take to the bar again!
A few days later as a new ambassador for the Royal Voluntary Service, I met up yet again withtheir President, HRH Duchess of Cornwall. The charity’s volunteers do a remarkable job,which is why I wanted to become involved, helping to keep older people engaged in their local communities and helping out in hospitals. With an ageing population, the Royal Voluntary Service needs more volunteers them than ever. And I’m proud to be part of one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with over 25,000 volunteers. Can’t wait to do more!
Later in the month I was joined by Alexandra Burke to host the nominations for this year’s Olivier Awards. It took place at Facebook Headquarters in London. The most incredible place – very modern, very high tech and full of young people all with different tablets and phones walking about the place, chatting and web browsing, interacting with social media – it all felt very alien to me. Very different to how I imagine most people experience at work! The nominations were broadcast live on the Olivier’s Facebook page and the biggest surprise was Dick Whittington was nominated in TWO categories – Best Entertainment & Family and Best Costume design! I secretly had my fingers crossed when announcing those!
In March I celebrated a big birthday … moving quickly along …. I took myself off on a wonderful Far East cruise. It really was out of this world – visiting Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and many other spectacular countries and cities.
While I was away on my cruise I received news that not only had Dick Whittington won an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment & Family but I had won Best Baddie at the Great British Panto Awards 2018 …Oh yes I did … ha ha! I was thrilled for producer and director Michael Harrison at Qdos for the Olivier win – who’d put so much energy and love into Dick Whittington, as had we all, so what an accolade to win the Olivier! And being crowned Best Baddie is an award I’ll treasure forever too … although one of my Rat Pack borrowed the award and I’ve yet to get it back!!
On the way back to the UK I popped into Dubai, as you do, to perform a one off concert at the famous Jumeirah Hotel. A wonderful evening singing on the beach under the stars – bliss!
As I arrived back in London the first episode of the sitcom, Home From Home, aired on BBC1. Starring Johnny Vegas, Emilia Fox, Niky Wardley, and Adam James. I’m sure you all know by now that I played Johnny’s mother, Mercy! She was a great character to play and it was a joy to work with everyone and spend time together in the beautiful Lake District. I had a blast!
In May I took a trip ‘back in time’ to see the new production of Chess The Musical at the London Coliseum. Wow! That broughtback some memories. I’m really glad I enjoyed it as I discovered in the interval Benny & Bjorn were sitting directly behind me. It was great to see them again and we reminisced about the many weekends I travelled to Sweden, working with them in their famous Abba Polar Recording Studios, prior to the concept album being released in 1984 and ahead of the London opening of the show in 1986. It was however great to be sitting in the audience this time watching the show, as opposed to performing. What a lot of people forget is when you’re in a show you very rarely get to see the production from ‘out front’, so when a revival takes place that I’ve been in, its such a new and unique experience for me. Cassidy Janson, who I discovered is another Barnet girl, Alexandra Burke and Tim Howar were all fantastic as were the rest of the cast and the production. But Michael Ball as Anatoly blew me away! Hearing him sing Anthem live was just a brilliant moment in the show! Goosebumps!
Ahoy there! It was back to sea for me! I’ve really earned my sea legs this year! This time something completely different. I asked to be Godmother to the cruise ship Seabourn Ovation! What an honour. The naming ceremony took place in the beautiful harbour of Valletta, the UNESCO site in Malta. I’m very proud to be Godmother to this beautiful ship, and it was a thrill to ‘smash’ the bottle of champagne on the hull and to say the iconic words “I name this ship, Seabourn Ovation, may God bless her and all who sail in her.” And to launch her onto the highs seas (see website.)
Back on dry land I visited the Chelsea Flower Show – one of my favourite events of the year. The spectacular garden displays always fascinate me as they are built especially for the event but look like they’ve been growing and blooming for months. And of course a few days later I joined in watching on TV all the celebrations of the Royal Wedding. The sun really shone on Harry & Megan that day, and brought a smile to everyone’s faces. I wish them all the happiness in the world!
It was then time to pack my bags AGAIN – this trip was on behalf of BBC Radio 2 and to New York for this year’s Tony Awards. Another calendar highlight for me. I love New York but especially being able to bring back all the news and interviews from Broadway for my radio show. It was a big year for The Band’s Visit, a musical that won 10 Tony awards, and our very own Harry Potter & The Cursed Child, which won 6 Tonys. I also managed to catch up with my Dick who I had played with twice nightly at the Palladium … oh come on now behave!! My Dick Whittington, the gorgeous Charlie Stemp.He was appearing in Hello Dolly, with my pal Bernadette Peters who had taken over as Dolly Levi. Bernadette completed her run, but Charlie remained for the show’s final 6 weeks as my Bette Midler re-joined the cast giving her Dolly once more.
Back in London as my Tony Awards Special went out on BBC Radio 2 I celebrated a very special personal event … the 40th Anniversary of Evita – the show that changed my life, but one I will never ever forget. You’ll be able to see a special documentary on BBC TV this Christmas that looks at Eva Peron, the musical and everyone’s involvement. I returned to the rehearsal rooms, Cecil Sharp House in Primrose Hill, to film an interview.The memories came flooding back particularly Hal Prince and I discussingthe opening scene of act two, Don’t Cry For Me Argentina. His direction has lived with me for all of those 40 years whenever I sing the song in concert!
On June 24th another wonderful celebration, the re-naming of the New London Theatre (where Cats opened in 1981) to the Gillian Lynne Theatre. An honour bestowed upon her by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh. So many people who had worked with Gillian where there to celebrate with her. She was carried onto centre stage, held aloft in a golden chair by four handsome boys! Such a great afternoon!
A few days later I was as an audience memberagain watching The King & I, back at the Palladium where I gave my Anna! Thisis a beautiful production and Kelli O’Hara as Anna is absolutely sublime along with a powerful king in Ken Watanabe. I joined Kelli backstage along with two other ‘Annas’ Liz Robertson and Hayley Mills – 4 ‘Annas’ all together, which was about half the number of ‘Kings’ I had to perform with during my run in 2000 … we had so many cast changes I nicknamed the show ‘The Kings and Me’!!!
Sadly heart-breaking news followed on July 2nd when the theatre world was told of Gilly’s journey to the ‘Heaviside Layer’ – she had passed peacefully away just over a week after her name was emblazoned above ‘her’ theatre. A fitting tribute.
During July BBC Radio 2 ran two Broadway specials during Elaine Paige On Sunday where I interviewed Broadway Ladies including Kelli O’Hara, Bernadette Peters, Dame Diana Rigg, Cyndi Lauper, Renee Fleming and the legendary Chita Rivera!All giving their fascinating insights into what its like to perform on stage 8 shows a week.
July of course was Wimbledon Tennis fortnight – THE highlight of my year! I spent two weeks glued either to the TV or spending time at Wimbledon. As President of the Dan Maskell Trust, I’m able to host lunch in the members club for those that have donated to the charity and a third visit to WimbledonI was lucky enough to be invited to the Royal Box. I would’ve never have imaginedas a young girl hitting a tennis ball up against the wall of our house that I would one day be sitting in the Royal Box at the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon! Always such a treat. I have to pinch myself and thank those who for the wonderful invitation.
The 2018 Wimbledon Championships were quickly followed by, none other than, the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust Celebrity Tournament. It was a great day, great tennis was played but most importantly it raised funds of £10,000 and awareness for this wonderful charity shared equally with the partner charity Friends of Israel. And I like to thank Gilly English who organisedthe event and it was great to see my pals Angela Rippon, Sam Smith, Andrew Castle and others who came along to give their support. Game, set and match to them all!
And so as we all enjoy this rather wonderful sunny summer I wanted to say thank you all for the support you continue to give me, and I’m looking forward to seeing many of my Antipodean fans in October when I shall perform some concerts in Australia and New Zealand.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and I’ll catch up with all before Christmas! In the meantime keep following my Tweets on @elaine_paige
Love
EP x
