13 December 2009
Hello!

EP here! Just catching my breath as the madness of Christmas falls upon us.

Well it’s been a hectic few weeks and I’ve so much to tell. As Norma would say “So much to say, not just today, but always!”. Where do I start??

Well first of all My Australian Tour! What a fantastic time I had down under and how wonderful to see some of you in person. – especially Charlene and her daughter, Hope. Thank you all for your support. I hope you enjoyed the concerts as much as I did. The audiences every night were so generous – thank you all. I cannot wait for the rest of you to see the DVD (filmed at the beautiful State Theatre in Sydney).

Surprisingly the horrendously long journey to Oz wasn't too bad and after arriving in Sydney I found myself sitting by the Opera House over a lazy lunch, bottle of wine, taking in the wonderful view. I love Sydney, a city you should play twice in your career once on the way up, & once on the way down. All I can say is … it was great to be back!

As well as all the travelling across such a huge continent, I managed to play a few games of tennis, meet up with some friends and do a little site seeing to boot, – it was a bit like a working holiday, but don’t tell anyone!!

Then we were off to New Zealand and wow! The shows there went just as well as in OZ – great time had by all! Thanks to my NZ fans and friends.

After the tour, my boys in the band and the crew left for home, but I went off to LA & Palm Springs to perform in a tribute concert in honour of my dear friend and record producer Dennis Lambert (Love Can Do That album) – I sang Grow Young, I Only Have Eyes For You and, as a special request from Dennis, Memory. Another great evening, alongside artists such as The Commodores & Natalie Cole. Then a few days rest. But not for long.......

I was asked if I would film an interview for Rick McKay’s forthcoming documentary. The follow up to his famous 2004 DVD ''Broadway The Golden Age'' I’ll keep you informed when it will be released. As soon as I know you'll know.

Eventually, after a month or more, it was home to ‘sunny’ England ….. NOT!! Oh dear, what a shock to the system – wind, rain and cold … so very cold! I just wanted to hibernate. However I was home just in time to catch the Masters Tennis Finals at the 02, held there for the first time, so exciting & something all us tennis fans can look forward to for the next five years. Then there was the episode I was in, of Beautiful People … not at all camp!! But much fun.

Then I was off again! I started to edit the film footage from Sydney for the DVD. Well it took three days just to do half of it. It looks fantastic – I’m so very pleased with it. I know the full concert DVD will not be out until the New Year, but you will be able to see a highlights version on Sky Arts 2 & Sky Arts 2 HD from 20th December onwards (check the Sky Arts website for details.) I’m back in the edit suite this week to finish the final edit, so you’ll all have the full finished concert on DVD in the New Year.

Finally, yes, I sang a duet with Susan Boyle for her TV Special "I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Story" ITV1. We sang I Know Him So Well from Chess and it was great fun working with her. She's so lovely, kind and sweet, and has a great voice. It must be a blast for her travelling the world making personal appearances, doing interviews, photo sessions, the whole bit, which of course leaves little time to learn new material. But when we filmed the duet for the programme, a new song for her, she was word perfect and spot on!

Well … deep breath …. It’ll soon be Christmas …. And with not a card written or a present wrapped I must end this December blog!

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas – I’ll raise a glass, on the day, to you all. May you and your family have peace, happiness & health in 2010, and I hope I get to see you all at some point next year.

Thanks for all your support in 2009. Here's to 2010.

With much love & thanks
EP xx

16 October 2009
Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to take this opportunity to say thanks for all your lovely comments and feedback on the new website! So glad you’re all enjoying it! We’re going to be doing lots of exciting things in the future so keep coming back and checking it out, and join the forum so you can all get to know one another, make friends and have a good old gossip!

I had a great time in New York and before I could even turn round I am now all set for my Australasian tour which I am very excited about. I’ve spent all week packing and getting my home ready for my houseguests who are staying here to look after the place while I’m away and water the plants – they can’t do any worse than me!!

I had a busy last few weeks before heading off including BBC1’s The One Show which was great fun and the lovely Alan Titchmarsh. Listen out for me on BBC Radio 2’s Steve Wright Show on Friday 30th October which I pre-recorded yesterday. I was a guest on these shows talking about the new album which has just been released worldwide on iTunes – I really must get my head round ‘downloading’. Years ago when I first got started there wasn’t such a thing as downloading, in fact no one even had a computer let alone know how to work one! Like me if you’re unsure I know all the information you need to get the album is on here … thank goodness! And if you want an actual CD then click here to visit my official merchandise store page.

Well I’m sure you know but I also did my last weekend for 5 weeks sadly on Elaine Paige On Sunday and so until I return from Oz you’ll have to tune in and listen to my ‘understudies’ – John Barrowman & Jodie Prenger. Funnily enough I was reminded this week it was 20 years ago since I introduced John to the West End stage in Anything Goes …. and it looks like it has!

So now I’ve finished my blog to you I’m ready to head off to Oz & New Zealand. I see a lot of you on the website are preparing to come so I look forward to seeing a few faces I know …out there in the dark! And don’t forget we’re filming at the State Theatre in Sydney for a brand new DVD which will be ready to order very soon on this website … keep an eye out for that! So excited!

I’ll catch up with you all when I get back, so until then …

Lots of love EP xx

28 August 2009
Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my brand new website – I do hope you love it as much as I do. I’m off to New York next week so will catch up with you all when I get back, but in the meantime please spend some time exploring the site, joining the forum and sending me feedback. Before the end of the year I’ll also set up a Q&A session on the forum where I’ll spend some time answering all your questions and if you have any ideas please let us know and we’ll see what we can do!

Have fun!

Lots of Love
Elaine

04 January 2009
''RING OUT THE OLD RING IN THE NEW''

Welcome to a New Year. May it bring you Health, Peace and Happiness.

Thank you for all your cards and gifts and warm wishes. It's always lovely to hear from you. I hope you've had a jolly Christmas sharing it with family and friends.

After my last performance of the year in Shanghai, China, I decided to seek some sunshine for a little R&R. I found it in Oman and Oh Man, what a wonderful place.

The desert, mountains, sea and sun. Muscat, where you can see existing side by side, a modern commercial city in harmony with it's traditional culture. A natural harbour, in fact Muscat means 'Anchorage'. The people were kind and generous and couldn't be more helpful.

On a visit to Muttrah Souq one afternoon, I found myself talking to a broadcaster from Egyptian 'Nile TV' who wanted to get the views of visitors. Why he picked me, I have no idea but there I was enthusing about Muscat and all it has to offer.

Beating a quick retreat back to the hotel I thought a game of tennis might be in order. For an hour I picked up a few good tips from the coach and hope it has improved my game!!! Well you have to hope!!!

With Abu Dhabi just up the road and the first tennis championship of the year, I have been watching avidly, hoping, like most of us that 'our man' Andy Murray can start his new year with a win.

Yes, this trip certainly ticked all the right boxes. Renewed, I'm ready for a new year on tour.

So I hope I'll see you at one of the eighteen concert dates around the UK, starting on February 16th at the Birmingham Symphony Hall, as I continue to celebrate my 40th Anniversary year.

Happy New Year to you all. Have fun, be kind and remember... 'Perseverance furthers'

Lots of Love
Elaine