Elaine Paige is a British theatre actress and singer most famous for her role in the Original London Production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical, Cats, as Grizabella. She reprised this role in the 1998 film version.
Cats History
London - 05/1981 - Grizabella (until May 1982)
Cats: the Movie - 09/1997 - Grizabella
Credits
- Sandy in Grease (1973, New London Theatre)
- Eva Perón in Evita (1978, Prince Edward Theatre)
- Grizabella in Cats (1981, New London Theatre)
- Florence Vassey in Chess (1986, Prince Edward Theatre)
- Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (1989, Prince Edward Theatre)
- Édith Piaf in Piaf' (1993, Piccadilly Theatre)
- Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (1994, 1995, 1996, Adelphi Theatre, Minskoff Theatre)
- Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2004, New York City Opera)
Awards and Nominations
Theatre
1978
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Evita)
- Society of West End Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Evita)
- Variety Club Award for Showbusiness Personality of the Year
1984
- Rear of the Year Award
1986
- Variety Club Award for Recording Artiste of the Year (Chess)
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Chess) (Nomination)
- Head of the Year Award
1989
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Anything Goes) (Nomination)
1993
- Gold Badge of Merit Award BASCA
- Laurence Oliver Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Paif) (Nomination)
1994 - 1997
- Variety Club Award - Best Actress of the Year
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) Queen's Birthday Honours
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Sunset Boulevard) (Nomination)
- HMV Lifetime Achievement Award
1998
- Lifetime Achievement National Operatic and Dramatic Association
2004
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Sweeney Todd) (Nomination)
2007
- What'sOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical (The Drowsy Chaperone) (Nomination)
2011
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Follies) (Pending)
Gallery
Elaine as Grizabella circa 1981
Elaine as Grizabella circa 1981
Elaine singing Memory at the 1981 Royal Variety Performance
Trivia
- Due to her large number of roles, she is often referred to as the First Lady of British Musical Theatre.