Apparently Stephen Sondheim is in talks about a production of Gypsy for 2013 in London. Can we hope? 

It does seem as if Imelda Staunton is firmly in the frame for this now. Having said that, there are rumours she and Michael Ball will go to NY with "Sweeney". I am sure she will act the hell out of Rose, but whether she can sing the hell out of it or not I doubt.

Of all the roles open to a musical theatre star of a "certain age" this is the one I really wanted to see Elaine tackle, simply because it's a giant of an acting role and we all know what a fine (and greatly underrated) actress she is.

Sadly, I can't ever see EP playing Mama Rose now, but maybe I'll be proved wrong.

I would love to know if she has been offered the part in recent years (I am sure she must have) and the reasons it's either not happened or Elaine just feels it's not been right.

I do think that when people look back on Elaine's career - and when she becomes Dame Elaine Paige (which will surely happen one day) - "Gypsy" will be the role critics and her contemporaries will say she should have played.