The First Lady of British Musical Theatre

Maybe it's time for BurlyBeaR to dig out That Puff Ball Clip?

(I would if I could..)

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.

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?

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!)

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.

Anita Harris.

Alexandra Burke.

In America it's Patti...She's a much bigger draw than Bernadette. Also, Chita Rivera?

On Broadway I’d say it’s Audra no question, although I can see why people would also say it’s Patti, Bernadette, Chita, Liza, Melba Moore, Lillias White or really any of that older generation who’ve gone from show to show.

Elaine is great but she’s not really done anything of any note for a long time. Frances Ruffelle is pretty iconic, I remember reading through her theatre credits in the Wild Party programme and thinking “woah, she IS the West End.” I’d agree with what has been said before that Ruthie and Joanna Riding are also quite deserving. I feel like Haydn Gwynne could be another throne claimant too. Give the Wicked generation (Rachel, Kerry, Willemijn, Alice, Louise) another decade or so, they’re all huge talents, and I think Kerry could definitely earn the title somewhat unfairly bestowed upon her, but none of them have done enough outside of Wicked yet to be a general West End First Lady in their own right.

Have thought about this a bit more and I think a big hurdle to a new 1st lady of British musical theatre emerging is the fact that we have not had a new original British musical with a strong iconic heroine since I can't remember when. So there are no roles for the likes of the Wicked girls to originate. Nearly everything is imported now and most of that is juke box or film based - there just isn't the same opportunity for someone to shine.

Also those that do originate roles with a female lead (Tina, Bodyguard, Dreamgirls) are amazing but are recreating (very well) an existing icon and I wonder if they are good enough ACTRESSES to play for example Tina one day, Norma Desmond the next. I don't think so. They are slightly typecast too. EP, LuPone etc are versatile actresses and can play vastly different roles. 

EP came along at the same time as ALW dominance when these incredible roles were being created, which would also have helped. 

We also struggle more now with the "what next" for people that wow us today and so many people who are incredible in one show just don't find a subsequent show of equal 'hit' status. Back in the day EP, Marti Webb, Sarah Brightman, Stephanie Lawrence would land one lead after another. 

And she just seems to be everywhere! To the point where if I see her image or know she in it, I won’t book