Dame Elaine Paige
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Welcome to Rosebud, presented by Giles Brandreth, produced by Harriet Jane, and listened to by you. Yes, you. Cue the music. It's just for you.
Hello, I'm Giles Brandreth, and this is another episode of Rosebud. It's an episode I've been looking forward to for quite a while because I'm going to be talking to somebody who is a proper friend of mine. I've known her for many years. I could have known her almost since we were born because we were actually born within three days of one another. And I've known her over the years, and I've admired her over the years. She's an extraordinary phenomenon. She's an entertainer. She's an actress. She's a singer. I'm actually just listening to her new album. It's called Miscellaneous Page, and that gives you the clue. Yes, it's a musical memoir from Dame Elaine Page. They call her the first lady of musical theatre for a reason.
She first appeared in the West End, I think, in Hair in 1968. Since then, she's been in Grease, in Billy, in The Boyfriend, in Evita, of course, in Cats, in Chess, in Anything Goes, in Piaf, I think it was a one-woman show, in Sunset Boulevard, in, well, The King and I, so many shows, Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, you name it, and Elaine Page has been doing it. Follies. She's there. She is one of the greatest. And I've been listening to her on the radio, on Radio 2, on Sunday afternoons, I think for about 20 years, maybe more than that. Anyway, I think she's fascinating. And you will know her. You'll know her voice. You'll know some of the shows she's been in. You probably have seen some of them.
But you may not know her story yet. and it may surprise you. I think this is rather a special episode of Rosebud. At last, it is indeed the First Lady of Musical Theatre, Dame Elaine Page. Enjoy, and cue the music.
Dame Elaine Page. That's nice too, isn't it? That's very nice. It's amazing. Who would have thought it?
Yes, exactly. Who would have thought it?
It is fantabulous. When did that come? When did you get that? Last year?
Yes, the investiture was in November.
And who did you have doing the investiture?
The King.
You got the King? I got the King. Oh, because they do choose.
Do they? Yes. Oh, I didn't know that. So you are a real gay listener. I got the king. Wow. And when I walked towards him and looked him in the eye, I thought, you know, I became overwhelmed and sort of emotional. And like it sort of welled up in me, like a, ooh, it's the most odd feeling. And then I walked towards him and he said, haven't seen much of you these days or something. And then he said, sorry. Still keeping your hand in, are you? And I was so sort of, couldn't believe that I was standing there and this was happening. I blurted out, oh, yes, yes. I said, in fact, I'm just recording a new album. I said, I'll send you a signed copy if you like when it's finished. And he threw his head back and roared with laughter and thought it was very funny.
Probably because I can't imagine my music he'd be interested in at all. Oh. You don't know, though, but so I shall, when it's finished, I shall definitely send him a copy signed whether he likes it.
It's called Miscellaneous Page. And it's called Miscellaneous Page. He would love to receive that, I'm sure. Do you think? Well, A, but he loves theatre. He loves musical theatre. He really admires Andrew Lloyd Webber, for example. Yes, they're quite good friends. They are proper friends. He made him a Knight of the Garter. Well, you're quite good friends with him as well, aren't you? I am privileged to know him. But I do know that he would be, I'm sure, thrilled to receive your album.
Well, if you'd like one as well, I'll send one to you as well, Giles. Giles.
It's all happening. All my Christmases coming at once.
Yeah, all at once.
I must take you back to the beginning.
Okay.
Elaine Page, born the 5th of March, 1948. What, Elaine, is your very first memory?
I think my... I don't know how old I was, but I think my very first memory would be of my mum, my mother, rocking me in her arms, in her lap. And she would sing these little ditties to me.
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