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 her humility. In newspaper profiles, that dread word 'difficult' is often applied, and yet here she is in the chorus line, cheerfully taking on a modest role in a musical with far more credibility and less bombast than the shows that made her name.

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 …

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…

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