Elaine Paige: "I was concerned I would not still have a voice."
The legendary singer talks about her nerves at returning to singing, receiving a damehood and how she made Victoria Beckham happy.
The legendary singer talks about her nerves at returning to singing, receiving a damehood and how she made Victoria Beckham happy.
Elaine Paige has faced the spotlight countless times, but she was still hit by nerves on her recent trip to Windsor Castle to receive her damehood from King Charles III.
"I was really nervous. This well of emotion came over me just before I had to walk forward," says the 78-year-old legend of the stage, who was recognised for her services to musical theatre and charity last November.
"As I looked the King in the eye, I couldn’t speak. He said to me, 'Keeping your hand in, are you?' But he’s got quite a quiet voice and I’m now a little hard of hearing – which is one of the reasons why I don’t perform live any more – so I thought, 'Did he say what I think he said?' There was a beat before I answered him and said, 'Oh yes.'"
She chuckles at the memory of her own awkwardness.
"I sort of stumbled though saying, 'Yes, I’m making a new album at the moment. I’ll send you a signed copy when it’s finished, if you like.'"
His Royal Highness laughed at the audacity but looked pleased. Elaine can now honour her promise as she’s completed her new album Miscellaneous Paige.
"We talked about my charity work then that was it. It all happened so quickly. But it was an extraordinary thing. Overwhelming, to be honest."
Elaine remembers another encounter that day. "I went into a long room and bumped into David and Victoria Beckham. She looked me up and down and gasped. I thought, 'Oh, my God, what’s wrong with me? Is it the way I look? I’ve made such an effort.'"
Elaine was wearing a smart blue dress and a wide, feathered hat. Contrary to her fears, the new Lady Beckham, whose husband had just been knighted, had a personal reason to love the look.
"I had chosen a bag designed by Victoria Beckham because it went with the outfit. So, there was a little serendipity. She said, 'Oh, that makes me feel very good.'"
We’re sitting in the lounge of a posh hotel near her central London home, with Elaine dressed in a powder blue trouser suit and cream sweater. She admits to being surprisingly shy but warms up one-to-one and reveals that she nearly didn’t dare make the new album.
"I was concerned I would not still have a voice."
This famous singer has not sung in public since December 2020, when she performed in the pantomime Dick Whittington at the London Palladium. Lockdown returned a few days later.
Elaine, who had lived through breast cancer, chose to take care of herself and live quietly and did not sing again until she went into a room with a pianist and her producer last year, having been ‘cajoled’ into it by friends. Again, there were butterflies.
"I was terribly nervous, because I was not confident, having not sung since the pandemic. The voice is the same as any muscle, if you don’t use it, then it’s going to disappear. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself."
She passed her own audition, however. "I was pleasantly surprised."
The first single 'Only a Lifetime' from Elaine's forthcoming new album, ‘Miscellaneous Paige,’ is released on Friday 22nd May.
(Hero image credit: Elisabeth Hoff)
Subscribe to Saga Magazine from just £1 and read the rest of this article in the Saga Magazine app. You’ll get access to our digital archive of over 40 back issues, plus the current edition.
Your chance to explore Germany’s wine region on board Spirit of the Moselle, on a trip worth over £2,450 per person.
Dame Prue Leith talks about her secret to staying young and why she’s finally slowing down at 86.
TV’s Dr Hilary Jones on why he wants sweeping reform to modern healthcare.
The actor bids farewell to Downton and looks forward to his starring role in a new West End show.
The TV historian on overcoming a difficult childhood and what it was like to appear on Celebrity Traitors.
The wildlife filmmaker on his close call with a polar bear and why hanging out with lions is less scary than driving in the UK.
The Irish author, 62, on escaping the news through writing, staying sober and scrolling the internet for pretty things.
The actress opens up to Jenni Murray on Saga's podcast Experience is Everything.
