Three years ago, around Christmas, when she was starring in The King and I in London, Mum was diagnosed with cancer. Elaine thought she should come out of the show, but Mum wanted her to finish her contract. That was very hard for Elaine, having to go on stage night after night knowing she wanted to be with Mum.

I used to get nervous for Elaine before a show, but not any more. She likes to be really well prepared for a role; she's very hard on herself. I'd never want t…

Although no one could question her zealous work ethic (she drove herself to breakdown performing in Pam Gems's Piaf in 1993), Paige is not exactly known for he…

She is confident when she talks about singing and stagecraft, surprisingly diffident when it comes to anything outside her field.