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Post by theatremadness on Jul 8, 2017 10:54:35 GMT
It just has to be Elaine Paige. There's no other British MT Lady who has had the career she has. From the moment she was thrust into the spotlight as Eva Peron in Evita way back when, she really hasn't stopped, and her career spans more than just the theatre in a way that we just don't see anymore. The last of which to reach her level 'celebrity status' for being a television entertainer is probably John Barrowman. Could be wrong as I don't have my thinking hat on yet!
Anyway, Elaine is now a well-known entertainer and TV personality and maybe even a household name. Some possibly don't even know she started out in theatre! Much like Imelda Staunton. But her wider career is still linked to theatre. TV appearances, chat shows, her radio show, touring and more. Everything she does is for the good of and to promote theatre in a positive way, and she's able to do that due to her reign as Leading Lady in countless high-profile productions that caught the public eye, and she/her agent/producers capitalised on it at the right time, and now she has a loyal fan base that grew up as she did, and new fans introduced to her all the time as she's still current in certain circles!
I'm a big fan - you may think she's "past it" or she's "lost it" or she's "over the hill" or whatever, but you'd be hard pressed to find someone still doing as much for the industry now as they did in their heyday. That's why, for me, Elaine Paige has to be the First Lady of British MT and I'm always slightly confused and annoyed when Kerry Ellis is bestowed with that title. Very talented and a few telly appearances, sure, but being attached to the hip of Brian May from Queen doth not a Lady make.
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Post by d'James on Jul 8, 2017 10:57:42 GMT
I genuinely don't know. Obviously Elaine Paige had crossover success in the 80s/90s but even now with her Radio show she keeps fighting for our team.
Let's go to British terms and I'd say she was the Queen Mother of Musical Theatre.
Queen, I'd say Joanna Riding is not a bad shout even if she is low key. Ruthie Henshall back in the day maybe.
Princess; Emma Williams is definitely in there.
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18,861 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 8, 2017 10:58:33 GMT
I can't remember which of our members said they couldn't bear the thought of Elaine "honking her way" through something or other but I still chuckle at it every time I hear her.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Jul 8, 2017 11:12:12 GMT
I can't remember which of our members said they couldn't bear the thought of Elaine "honking her way" through something or other but I still chuckle at it every time I hear her. Piggy Paige
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Post by jgblunners on Jul 8, 2017 11:22:59 GMT
I often see this phrase used to describe Kerry Ellis and I'm not sure that I really agree with that. I honestly don't think I'd recognise her name if I weren't a Musical Theatre buff (I also think she's over-rated, but here's not the place for that discussion). Elaine Paige is certainly the most famous female British MT star, and she's the closest to LuPone levels in terms of recognition for her roles. I can't comment on her as a performer though, being a child of the 90s and hence missing out on her glory days.
My vote would be for Imelda Staunton. She's racked up a decent number of leading roles in musicals, all to critical acclaim, has won Olivier Awards, and is renowned as an excellent actress. She has also made a name for herself outside theatre, and the majority of the country would recognise her name even if it's just from Harry Potter. For me, there's no other female MT performer who has that combination of talent, experience, and fame.
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Post by Scswp on Jul 8, 2017 13:46:39 GMT
I think Elaine Paige eclipses everyone else in terms of what she has achieved in her career, starting from an almost purely musical theatre beginning. Numerous albums, chart hits, international concert tours, radio and TV show. Michael Ball is probably the male equivalent.
I am a fan of Elaine's, particularly her work up to and including Sunset Boulevard. I don't listen to much of her material after this because I think the decline in her voice is almost complete tbh. and I don't enjoy her more recent vocals on recordings - though when you hear her live in a venue, it sounds better. On recordings, however, her limitations are strikingly obvious nowadays.
Her younger voice was amazing to me though. I grew up listening to my sister's records. She was a product of that time and has sustained a solid career ever since. There are many vocalists who are just as talented and just as powerful as Paige was, but the industry has totally changed. Nobody from MT is likely to score as much sustained success as Paige has. So she would get the 'First Lady' title for me!
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Post by Tibidabo on Jul 8, 2017 14:26:26 GMT
I absolutely despise EP though, something about her just grates. And first lady of British musical theatre sounds like something she would describe herself as That's actually an insult to graters.
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Post by ali973 on Jul 8, 2017 14:34:24 GMT
Sorry guys but to throw in Kerry Ellis's name in the list of contenders for the title of First Lady of British Musical Theatre is laughable. As someone who actually likes Ellis and find her projects rather interesting, I would only fathom calling her a Star of British/West End theatre. Heck, maybe even the biggest star of the West End. But not First Lady.
I stand firm on Maria Friedman and/or Ruthie Henshall being runner ups to the Paige. The span, experience and variety of roles they've had, the relevancy and notoriety they still maintain despite their on-and-off public appearance still makes them the most obvious options.
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18,861 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 8, 2017 15:33:29 GMT
Sorry guys but to throw in Kerry Ellis's name in the list of contenders for the title of First Lady of British Musical Theatre is laughable. As someone who actually likes Ellis and find her projects rather interesting, I would only fathom calling her a Star of British/West End theatre. Heck, maybe even the biggest star of the West End. But not First Lady. I stand firm on Maria Friedman and/or Ruthie Henshall being runner ups to the Paige. The span, experience and variety of roles they've had, the relevancy and notoriety they still maintain despite their on-and-off public appearance still makes them the most obvious options. Virtually unknown outside of the genre.
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Jul 8, 2017 15:38:02 GMT
I don't think that matters much, considering it is a genre-specific title. On a grand scale, someone like Chita Rivera is not that well known to Joe Schmoe from Nebraska, but that still makes her pretty much a legend and First Lady of American MT League. Same with LuPone, etc.
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Post by horton on Jul 8, 2017 15:54:13 GMT
Michael Ball
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2017 15:54:40 GMT
It must be EP, but just wait till Jenna Russell does her first post-Eastenders musical.
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Post by danb on Jul 8, 2017 16:40:05 GMT
It must be EP, but just wait till Jenna Russell does her first post-Eastenders musical. Best Fantine I ever did see... Best Bertrande I ever did see... Would love B&S to write something else she can sing the sh!t out of...
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18,861 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 8, 2017 21:29:27 GMT
I don't think that matters much, considering it is a genre-specific title. On a grand scale, someone like Chita Rivera is not that well known to Joe Schmoe from Nebraska, but that still makes her pretty much a legend and First Lady of American MT League. Same with LuPone, etc. We've had a similar discussion about the recognition factor some other MT actress but I'm blowed if I can remember who it was now. Who was it? Was it connected with Dreamgirls? As for genre specific, so is First Lady of the USA but it would be odd if no-one outside of the USA recognised her. However, if recognition outside of the genre isn't a required then the whole game changes.
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Post by infofreako on Jul 8, 2017 21:48:49 GMT
Its definitely a tough one to decide. I almost dont feel qualified to judge what makes a performer worthy of the title
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Post by bobbybaby on Jul 9, 2017 13:41:58 GMT
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Post by vabbian on Jul 9, 2017 16:07:30 GMT
Michelle Obama!
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Post by showtoones on Jul 9, 2017 22:22:15 GMT
Why do people throw shade at Elaine Paige? I'm just interested in reasoning as I've heard it for years. Not saying she does or doesn't deserve it...but just interested in hearing the overall sentiment...I think it's an interesting topic and could have interesting reasoning behind it
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Post by infofreako on Jul 9, 2017 22:31:10 GMT
Why do people throw shade at Elaine Paige? I'm just interested in reasoning as I've heard it for years. Not saying she does or doesn't deserve it...but just interested in hearing the overall sentiment...I think it's an interesting topic and could have interesting reasoning behind it She just irritates me, no idea why. Shes nowhere near as special as she thinks she is though.
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Post by Scswp on Jul 10, 2017 5:31:55 GMT
Maybe shade is thrown at EP BECAUSE she has achieved so much. She was said to be very demanding and diva-like in her heyday and was known for missing shows when she was paid large salaries. It's a bit like a lot of shade is thrown at LuPone in America. Maybe it's just their level of achievement in a field where there are many other performers who are equally as talented? I like EP though.
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Post by horton on Jul 10, 2017 6:20:11 GMT
Personally, I think she is a brilliant musical theatre actress- and can certainly hold her own in straight drama, too. However, she is known in the business to be fond of the grape and also to be big-headed.
For me, these do not seem like major flaws, but they give rivals the opportunity they are looking for to bitch about her.
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Post by Tibidabo on Jul 10, 2017 6:41:05 GMT
Why do people throw shade at Elaine Paige? Maybe it's time for BurlyBeaR to dig out That Puff Ball Clip? (I would if I could..)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2017 7:05:37 GMT
For me she has become a parody of herself and not a very good one. Her radio show is annoying beyond belief even though she is promoting MT. As far as acting is concerned her Carlotta in Follies was dire and her Shakespearian role in Midsummer Night's Dream on TV was cringeworthy.
The glory that was Rome ...
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 10, 2017 21:28:08 GMT
You lot are actually discussing this? It can ONLY be honking Paige. She practically demands to be introduced as the First Lady of Musical theatre wherever she goes.
Sure she was a big breakout star as Evita, but those days are long gone. She can only play grotesque characters because she has no real depth to her acting ability. As someone said, she's become a parody of herself. Like a dodgy lounge singer who can no longer hit the notes.
Her presenting on the radio programme is abysmal. The things she finds funny defy belief and her snorting laugh is repulsive
She ruins that programme.
I'm no fan of Maria Friedman but she's delivered way more stronger musical performances, likewise Joanna Riding. I'd add Ruthie too but I think beyond She loves me, CrazyFY and Chicago, she hasn't really delivered the goods in other roles.
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Post by westendwendy on Jul 11, 2017 14:13:18 GMT
Love her or dislike her.. Elaine was one of the best Norma Desmond's in SUNSET.
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Post by showtoones on Jul 11, 2017 14:58:41 GMT
If Lady Paige is the first lady of British Theater, who is the first lady of American Theater? Would you say Patti and/or Bernadette? Audra?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2017 16:00:22 GMT
As much as i dont rate her i think Patti Lupone, she just seems to be a bigger draw and wider known. Bernadette and Kelli O Hara id say are close behind
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Post by Scswp on Jul 12, 2017 5:22:27 GMT
I would say that LuPone is a bigger draw than Peters, although I think Peters has actually done more Broadway musicals than LuPone. I think it may be because LuPone is a much bigger 'personality' so she attracts more attention. Audra McDonald has multiple Tony Awards and sells tickets by her mere presence (and talent!)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2017 6:52:08 GMT
Have never seen Ms Peters in person so can't give a real opinion as to her stage magnetism.
Both Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald have that star quality that rivets you to their performances. Having seen Ms LuPone more times than Audra I would have to say her.
This of course might change after seeing "Lady Day" in September.
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Post by musicaltheatrequeen on Jul 28, 2018 10:55:56 GMT
I think Elaine Paige is 100% deserving of the title and I immediately knew it was her that was mentioned in the article. I don’t believe actresses such as Kerry Ellis deserve this role because they have not got the fame that others such as Elaine Paige and Imelda Staunton have. I believe that fame is one of the key aspects to the title because they are names everyone knows. Also, The Idea of First Lady means they don’t necessarily have to be doing anything currently, as long as they have left a lasting impact on Musical Theatre which Elaine definitely has. She has originated at least 6 West End roles, won several awards, and is still going. She just completed Dick Whittington at the London Palladium Last Christmas and is still doing concert tours across the globe. We must also remember that she is 70, So roles will not be as easy to achieve for her. I do feel she deserves a lot of credit for her success career of over 5 decades. She is truly a National treasure and an incredible singer and actress.
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