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West End Wonder Elaine Paige’s top five performances

We've rounded up our top five performances by Britain's first lady of musical theatre, Elaine Paige.

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Elaine Page has starred in more West End and Broadway musicals than any other woman of her generation, making her an absolute powerhouse in the world of musical theatre.

Now the starlet herself is heading to our shores to perform songs from her incredible career, as well as a few modern favourites. Fans will be able to catch Elaine Paige live in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide this coming October.

We could NOT be more excited to see Paige in Oz, so to begin our countdown, we’ve rounded up our top five favourite performances.

Don’t Cry for Me Argentina | Evita

Eva Perón, in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical Evita, was Paige’s breakthrough role. Although she had appeared in a few West End Productions previously, she was still relatively unknown when she was chosen by legendary director Hal Prince for the role. Her performance as the beloved Argentine political leader was critically acclaimed and won her an Olivier Award, making her a household name, and led to her playing the role on the West End stage for over two years.

Don't Cry for Me Argentina, Elaine Paige

I know him so well | Chess

Paige also originated the role of Florence in the 1980s musical Chess with music by ABBA members, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, and lyrics by Tim Rice. Paige won another Oliver Award for her performance. This deliciously-80s version was recorded with Barbara Dickson and released as a single. Not only did the song hold the number one position on the British singles chart for FOUR weeks, it still holds the record for the biggest-selling record by a female duo.

Elaine Paige, Barbara Dickson - I Know Him So Well "From CHESS"

Memory | Cats

Singing perhaps the most famous (infamous?) song in music theatre history, Elaine Paige originated the role of Grizabella in the West End production of Cats. She actually took over the role from the one and only Dame Judi Dench after she tore her Achilles tendon during rehearsals. What big shoes to fill! But she did all that and more. Give it a listen, we promise it’s better than the version sung at your niece’s grade five concert.

Elaine Paige Performs 'Memory' - Royal Albert Hall | Cats the Musical

As If We Never Said Goodbye | Sunset Boulevard

Another Andrew Lloyd Webber collaboration, Paige made her Broadway debut as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. Taking on a role performed by some of the most iconic women in theatre including Patti Lupone and Glenn Close, Paige not only holds her own but makes the song her own.

Elaine Page - As If We Never Said Goodbye (Official Music Video)

Nobody’s Side | Chess

In another thrilling 80s music video Elaine Paige (feat. three cans of hairspray) breaks out some ripper dance moves that can’t take away from how great this song is. This is another Björn and Benny creation and contains some of Tim Rice’s best lyrics (a bold statement but give it a listen, we’re sure you’ll come to our side).

Elaine Paige - Nobody's Side "From CHESS"

Now that we’ve taken this stroll down memory lane you’re probably totally amped to get tickets to witness musical theatre royalty in the flesh.

Elaine Paige will appear at State Theatre, Sydney (16 Oct), Arts Centre Melbourne (18 Oct) and Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (22 Oct). Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.com.au.