Elaine Paige facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dame Elaine Paige DBE
Paige in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Elaine Jill Bickerstaff
Born	(1948-03-05) 5 March 1948 (age 77) Barnet, Hertfordshire, England
Occupation(s)	Singer, actress
Years active	1964–present

Dame Elaine Jill Paige (born Elaine Jill Bickerstaff on March 5, 1948) is a famous English singer and actress. She is best known for her amazing work in musical theatre. Many people call her the "First Lady of British Musical Theatre."

Paige grew up in Barnet, Hertfordshire, and went to the Aida Foster Theatre School. She started her professional career on stage in 1964 when she was only 16. Her first big role in London's West End was in the musical Hair in 1968.

She became a huge star in 1978 when she played Eva Perón in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Evita. This role made her famous and she won a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance. She was also the first actress to play Grizabella in the musical Cats. Her song from the show, "Memory", became a top 10 hit.

In 1985, Paige and Barbara Dickson released the song "I Know Him So Well" from the musical Chess. It is still the best-selling song ever by a female duo. She also starred in Chess on stage. Later, she made her debut on Broadway in New York City, starring in Sunset Boulevard.

Paige has released 22 solo albums and has performed in concerts all over the world. Since 2004, she has hosted a popular radio show on BBC Radio 2 called Elaine Paige on Sunday. She is also the vice-president of The Children's Trust, a charity for children with brain injuries.

Early Life and First Steps in Theatre

Elaine Jill Bickerstaff was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire. Her father, Eric, was an estate agent, and her mother, Irene, was a hat maker. Her mother had been a singer, and her father was a drummer. Elaine is just under 5 feet tall, which she says sometimes made it hard to get certain roles.

When she was 14, she heard the music from the movie West Side Story. This inspired her to want a career in musical theatre. Her music teacher at school, Ann Hill, encouraged her talent. Elaine sang in the school choir and had parts in school plays.

Her father suggested she go to a drama school, so she attended the Aida Foster Theatre School. At first, she was not very confident, but her father encouraged her to keep trying. She soon grew to love it.

Career Highlights

West End Debut and Becoming a Star

Elaine's first professional appearance was at age 16. She was told to change her last name from Bickerstaff to something easier for the stage. She saw the word "page" in a phone book, added an "i," and became Elaine Paige.

She made her West End debut in the musical Hair in 1968. Over the next ten years, she had roles in many other musicals, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, and Billy.

Her big break came in 1978. After many auditions, she was chosen to play Eva Perón in the first stage production of Evita. The show was a massive hit, and her performance made her famous. She won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Musical. She played the role for 20 months.

The Cats and Chess Era

In 1981, Elaine Paige created another iconic role. She played Grizabella in the original London production of Cats. She joined the show late after another actress, Judi Dench, had to pull out due to an injury.

Her performance of the song "Memory" became her signature song. It was a top 10 hit in the UK and has been recorded by over 160 other artists. She played Grizabella again for the video version of Cats in 1998.

In 1984, she was the first to sing the role of Florence on the concept album for the musical Chess. Her duet with Barbara Dickson, "I Know Him So Well", was a number 1 hit. It remains the biggest-selling single by a female duo. From 1986 to 1987, she starred as Florence on stage, which earned her another Olivier Award nomination.

Broadway Debut and Later Roles

In 1995, Queen Elizabeth II made Paige an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her work in musical theatre.

Paige took on the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard in London's West End. Her performance was a huge success. During this time, she faced a serious health challenge when she was diagnosed with cancer. She bravely continued to perform while receiving treatment and made a full recovery.

In 1996, she made her Broadway debut in New York, also playing Norma Desmond. The audience and critics loved her performance. One critic wrote, "The lush sound and the sheer power of her voice are, to put it simply, incredible."

From 2000 to 2001, she starred as Anna Leonowens in The King and I in London. In 2007, she returned to the West End in The Drowsy Chaperone. In 2011, she starred in the musical Follies in Washington, D.C., and later on Broadway.

Recent Years and 50th Anniversary

In 2014, Paige celebrated 50 years in show business. She went on a "Farewell" concert tour and released a new album, The Ultimate Collection.

She has continued to perform in special concerts and on television. In 2017, she appeared in the pantomime Dick Whittington at the London Palladium. She has also appeared in several BBC television shows, including Home from Home and Life.

In the 2025 Birthday Honours, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to music and charity.

Personal Life

Paige has never married or had children. She had a long-term relationship with the lyricist Tim Rice in the 1980s. She has said that she has a wonderful life and is very fulfilled in many ways.

Legacy and Influence

Elaine Paige is known as the "First Lady of British Musical Theatre" because of her incredible talent and long career. Her powerful voice has been praised all over the world. Andrew Lloyd Webber has said her version of the song "As If We Never Said Goodbye" is one of the best he has ever heard.

She has inspired many other performers. The singer Susan Boyle, who became famous on Britain’s Got Talent, said that Elaine Paige was her inspiration.

Charity Work

For over 35 years, Paige has been an Ambassador for The Children's Trust. This is a UK charity that helps children with brain injuries. She has hosted many fundraising events to support their important work.

Major Theatre Roles

See also

In Spanish: Elaine Paige para niños