449 posts
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Post by SageStageMgr on Jul 8, 2017 10:13:21 GMT
That rumour is true by the way. That's all I'm saying. Not that I've checked personally. I just know...
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19,660 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 8, 2017 10:14:36 GMT
You just rocked my world.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2017 10:15:19 GMT
Just an observation, but BurlyBeaR asked about The First Lady of British Musical Theatre. So how come the names of Gary Barlow, Michaels Ball and Crawford are mentioned. Have I missed summat??? I would suggest that on any measure, Ms Paige would be generally regarded as the first lady of British MT. Her profile beyond MT would mean she is so widely recognised. For sure Imelda Staunton and Sheridan Smith are up there with the wider public, but I'm not sure they would identify them as MT stars, they are eclipsed by their general acting careers. Let's not forget Dames Julie Andrews and Angela Lansbury. I dont really think either of those can really be classed as really British these days. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2017 10:29:55 GMT
For me that title would never be bestowed upon Ms Paige as I just don't see she has the acting chops for it. Her vocals were good in Evita and Chess but the acting left a lot to be desired especially in shows like Anything Goes.
In the past it was Julia McKenzie who gave stellar performances in Sweeney, Into The Woods or even the revue Sid by Side by Sondheim.
Based on the last few years of Gypsy, Into the Woods, Sweeney and the like I would have to say Imelda Staunton. I await her Sally in Follies with baited breath.
When you look at the Grand Dames of the American Musical theatre and think of stars like Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Angela Lansbury( I know she a Brit but American musical theatre reinvented her) and even Patti LuPone, Imelda is the only one who comes close to them.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2017 10:54:26 GMT
The First Lady is the wife of the President of the USA. She may or may not have any ability in her own right.
The First Lady of British Musical Theatre is Sarah Hugill Sarah Brightman Madeleine Gurdon.
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2,452 posts
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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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19,660 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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4,955 posts
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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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351 posts
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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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19,660 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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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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751 posts
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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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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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