Elaine Paige OBE says that at age 65 it is time for her to retire from touring.
The First Lady of Musical Theatre has announced one more world tour that includes Australian dates in December.
Elaine Paige is known for her Broadway and West End hits including her starring role as Eita Peron in Evita, Grizabella in Cats and songs from Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, Billy, Chess and more.
The songs ‘I Know Him So Well’ from Chess and ‘Memory’ from Cats were global hits for Elaine Paige.
Elaine Paige has been performing since the age of 16 and says her 50th anniversary in show business is the ultimate time to retire. “It’s my 50th year in the music business and I’m saying goodbye. It is just so tiring, especially after 50 years. My tours go on for years at a time and it’s exhausting,” she told The Express. “I’ll have a holiday and then I’m going to reinvent myself.”
“I’ve thought long and hard about this decision but I feel my 50th anniversary is a good time to bid adieu.”
Elaine Paige received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to musical theatre in 1995. Her collection of awards includes HMV Lifetime Achievement Award, National Operatic and Dramatic Association Lifetime Achievement Award, Variety Club 40 Years on Stage Special Presentation, Society of West End Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical, Variety Club Award for Best Actress, British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors Gold Badge of Merit, University of East Anglia and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters, Broadway World Los Angeles Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Touring) Award and nominations for the Best Musical Theatre Album Grammy and Drama Desk Outstanding Actress in a Musical.
Elaine Paige will tour Australia in December.
Elaine Paige Australian dates
December 3, Brisbane, Conservatorium of Music
December 5, Melbourne, Hamer Hall (from ticketmaster.com.au)
December 6, Sydney, State Theatre (from ticketmaster.com.au)
Melbourne and Sydney tickets are on sale now. Sydney tickets available from Ticketmaster from Monday, March 3.
