Anything Goes -Elaine Paige: 1990 Royal Variety Performance

Elaine Paige's 50th anniversary album 'The Ultimate Collection' out 12 May 2014: smarturl.it/ela...
Elaine Paige sings Cole Porter's 'Anything Goes' at the 1990 Royal Variety, held in conjunction with the Queen Mother's 90th Birthday.
A young John Barrowman can be seen on the balcony, along with Bernard Cribbins dressed in the Priest's robes.

[@dondonadio444]

It's pretty irresistible music no matter who sings it

[@lvmusiccomfort]

John has

[@Cooki-06300]

😅 je vous aime

[@mga2899]

You got a hit when KZbin folks are arguing nearly a century later.

[@Macrogue65]

Paige is no dancer, however she bashes her way through this with absolute ease, poise and a voice that can deafen the entire auditorium.

[@dadevi]

If she's dancing, she's a dancer.

[@peteraschaffenburg1]

@@dadevi I´d beg to differ! Give that girl some tap shoes, and she´d be lost. ;-) It all depends on what is required for the number. ;-)

[@hanfett]

one of the things i hate most about musical theatre is that people will endlessly compare performers, like it doesn’t matter if you think someone else did it better this is still a brilliant performance!

[@AuntieMamie]

God bless Cole Porter!!!! What a genius.

[@kat35lulu88]

Regardless if it's Merman, Foster, LuPone or Paige they all bring an exquisite style to this sensational song.

[@KatMusic2009]

And Sally Ann Triplett.

[@williamjones7163]

I can't believe it is from 34 years ago. Today is September 2024. I saw Sutton Foster do this Boston Gay Men's Choir. It misses so much without the tapping.

[@thecuillinn7054]

the huge voice from that small lady is astounding

[@WilliamB1026]

One of the great dance numbers in all of musical theater. A joy to watch.

[@David-k7r4n]

Elaine Paige puts heart and soul into every performance!

[@lordorielrising4673]

I saw Elaine perform it in London. It was wonderful! I just now realize that the actor she played against was John Barrowman. She so commanded the stage that I didn’t really notice the other actors that much.

[@stvp68]

That might be the fastest version of this song I’ve ever heard

[@markbeck8384]

Wow! I could never choose between these performances. Sutton has the best choreography; but all three look and sound great; and what's terrific about Stars is that each has her own unique, incomparable Personality! It really is just a great show-stopping number they all look fabulous in.

[@MrCrowebobby]

This tap choreography is much harder than the Broadway tap done by Foster and boys, but the Foster number is much cleaner. (Of course English tap is basically different than American.) I was a professional tap dancer (American) so I have a bit of knowledge.

[@peterwinkler3570]

As a LuPone loyalist, I'm tempted to hail her version as far better. But I actually think Elaine Paige did a fine job too. One point that others may have made is that the cameras zoomed in much more closely on the LuPone performance, which probably made that version seem more powerful.

[@willisthrilled]

+Peter Winkler IMO, Patti does the better Anything Goes (the song), but Elaine Paige blows Patti away on Blow Gabriel Blow…she's the only Reno I've heard (including Merman the original) who belts "why it's GAAABRIEL, GAAAABRIEL playing!" the way it should be.

[@oneofspades]

That is Elaine Paige. Good meet better.

[@justinewhyland8429]

Dancing wise(Ensemble) this performance was pretty powerful...

[@phillipgraves4721]

I'll take Sutton Foster anyday.

[@kcdavids3033]

@@phillipgraves4721 I agree - meth is a dangerous, dangerous drug, as prior commenters have more than proven. Elaine Page has a truly lovely voice, but Sutton is far above her. Patti's voice can definitely be great, but flitting about, singing a few lines, etc., does not make a performance.

[@Princess101855]

Immense respect for the dancers in high heels. Can't walk in a straight line while wearing mine, let alone dance in them!

[@Princess101855]

+Michel Ghaleb *Stares wide eye. They're insane.

[@NOONE-cd4gu]

They're dancing shoes

[@nathanjamesdance]

A wonderful clip..... great to see a time when British dancers exuded, and got, the American style of musical theatre choreography... EP will always be superlative to Patti for me.. Patti's presence is incredible, but diction is shocking. I'm so happy to have been able to see this clip. It also shows that EP could actually tap, rather than fake as much as Patti does on that video. Watch EP's Blow, Gabriel, Blow from the same performance... vocally she shows why she was the Queen of Musical Theatre in the UK.

[@adoreslaurel]

Agreed, must only be Americans who support Patti 'wots her name".

[@eslangi]

I’m blown away by this choreography and arrangement!! If it’s because this flare is a British thing, then I’d love to see more!!

[@nathanjamesdance]

@@eslangi this is the same choreography from the 1987 Broadway Revival. So its just a case of British dancers executed American choreography.

[@eslangi]

@@nathanjamesdance Amazing!!

[@old.not.too.grumpy.]

I saw this production. It was scaled back a liitle for this performance. I don't normally like silly musicals like but it was brilliant

[@Brissieskater1]

this performance is really good

[@lesleymcshanemitchell9651]

Miss Paige what talent

[@thegypsysoul]

That voice.... Is there a song she doesn't just own :)

[@samueljaramillo4221]

One of the best shows written for Broadway

[@maureen1938]

FABUOUS.....Thank you for posting this awesome share.....FANTASTIC;

[@sharongelfand5065]

I have to say that the choreography in the Broadway version is superlative and danced with amazing energy.

[@MrCrowebobby]

It might be the major difference between English tap and American tap.

[@gingerlewis97]

elaine paige is amazing x

[@ed9358]

wait omg how havent i seen this i love this performance 🥺🥺🥺 its so fun to watch

[@Uniqueoneb]

Amazing voice 🥰 🥰 🥰 sensational performance 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@cliftongonzalezgonzalez8919]

Paige just nails it completely

[@neilcowan6789]

I saw Elaine in 'Evita' in London, after seeing Patti LuPone in LA, where it played for two months before Broadway. Patti had to huff and puff her way through "Buenos Aires" first week, but I had tickets fifth row the last week and she was great. I also see the seeds of the choreography for the Sutton Foster revival-

[@tommoncrieff1154]

I saw this at the time in the West End. It was fantastic and introduced John Barrowman too. Elaine Paige was sensational, especially in Blow Gabriel Blow, and produced it as well. It’s worth noting that this is not the set from the production, it’s all scaled down for a Sunday evening recording of the Royal Variety Show, and, of course, it’s using the audio techniques of the day, before everything was digitised and on WiFi.

[@georgeparowski1420]

Just so joyful and uplifting to the song

[@byrdlc]

So glad you got these posted. Thanks, Seb.

[@babsbrodieful]

Fantastic!!

[@Dan-vt3nk]

Awesome!

[@TorchwoodPandP]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I always wondered what that performance was like!

[@JulianChild]

Holy speed production Batman!

[@mariafr86]

Thank you so much for posting this!! I've been really curious to see this for so long! Lovely vid!

[@dudley5533]

Excellent!!!!!

[@infonut]

LOVE this tempo. Gimme happy feet!

[@sharongelfand5065]

LuPone and Paige are forces of nature.

[@adoreslaurel]

Can hardly understand most of the words, but Gee, she does it bloody well.

[@captaincol4374]

Elaine LOVE YOU xxxx

[@1962HILTON]

Excelent!

[@aineeeeeeeee]

Elaine is incredible in all roles played and personally I do think this performance is so much better than Patti's performance, Patti lacked enthusiasm and personality, Elaine truly made this her own and she dids amazingly well x

[@jeremyretired-soprano-now-7678]

its amazing the West End Company of 1990 thrilled audiences & now in 2021... ONCE AGAIN... a new West End Production is here to thrill audiences who demand slicker dancing, with flashier stage lights, & of course... "SKIN SELLS" so skimpier outfits mite be the Director/Producer's choice, LOL

[@wengfong6742]

Eliane is the British version of Patti and Patti is the American version of Eliane. Their careers share so many similar roles and songs

[@gnikcohs]

That is so good, I think Patti's version is incomparable, but on the other hand Elaine is second to none.

[@irmavaras4068]

Cantante extraordinaria y bailarina 👏👏👏

[@brianletter3545]

London theatre at its best!

[@CJ-hg9cs]

You know what....just enjoy the damm video or move along. Why the need to 'educate' people on "so and so sings this so much better" or something equally as negative. Ffs people.

[@CJ-hg9cs]

@John Texas oh John bless your bitter heart. I'll keep the beard thanks sweetheart. You keep those ever so witty remarks.

[@allenn.3909]

@John Texas Hun, they made a genuinely good comment and what this person does with their facial hair is entirely their own business :)

[@waterlily6543]

You said it better thanks

[@dohaperson1]

In the endless comparing of people, you can't really compare Foster to Paige/LuPone. Foster is a first-class dancer obviously while the other women are better singers. The Paige/LuPone productions were clever in working the dancing around them, but are better sung. Whether you prefer LuPone or Paige is a matter of choice, they are both superb singer/actresses and deserve all their acclaim.

[@metikabegleiter1770]

dohaperson1 I completely agree, although I really like how they gave Sutton pants instead of the skirt 😂

[@kalurank]

Can't agree that Sutton Foster is inferior to Paige or Lupone in order of her singing skills

[@vickimanager]

@@kalurank I agree!

[@Platinum400]

@@kalurank Sutton literally takes the final note higher than the other two and holds it longer after still doing all the dancing. So I'm not sure how they can say she's that inferior lol

[@Chaneloweenz]

J. Alexander She didn’t take the note higher than Patti, what the hell are you talking about???

[@feralbluee]

Bernard Cribbins!!! yea!!!!!

[@dommitchell4319]

Slow down! Quite a few words get lost because they've made her rush through the song. The song was fine at the slower tempo.

[@jonsmith3030]

Patti did an amazing job, but so did Elaine. Patti had the vocals, but Elaine sold it.

[@Linda-bj3cf]

Sutton Foster can run circles around this! She is amazing.

[@Error-4O4]

Let’s not compare them. Theyre all good

[@pauldueffert2749]

@@Error-4O4 Nah, lets. Sutton really is better - a better dancer by far, and even her singing is more nuanced. It is actual acting, rather than just belting.

[@elbalajazz]

i love the playback

[@MrCrowebobby]

I'm here for the chorus boys.

[@carlawilson150]

Paige is the best! No contest.

[@elsiemacdonald2015]

John barrowman sang this as capt. Jack in the torchwood dvd extras

[@madisonhoward5716]

Black Canary12 and She is in heels

[@amyclarke41]

Alien who loves musicals 😀

[@bigred8432]

He was in this production

[@angelortiz1957]

OMG

[@gnikcohs]

It's certainly a pleasure to see the immensely talented Elaine Paige give this great song her considerable all. And normally I would not get into the whose better comments watching a video by this or that artist, but comparing Elaine and Patti LuPone is practically an established tradition now. So I'll just say that Patti's version is truly impeccable, as perfect a rendition of the song as is possible. Elaine is very good here but not as good Patti.

[@willisthrilled]

+gnikcohs Patti may be able to belt louder than Elaine, but she tends to run the words together…I don't mind that for shows like Evita (which in my opinion has subpar lyrics), but for Cole Porter, diction is just as important as pipes. i'd be interested in hearing Patti sing these songs now, as her diction has gotten considerably better…I saw her in Gypsy a few years back and her signature 'LuPone slur' was toned down significantly.

[@gnikcohs]

+Ritz <---- Patti's career (as does Elaine's) speaks for itself and it is not based on "belting louder" than someone else. She gives a great and powerful performance of Cole Porter's song and that is what a great song deserves, not necessarily great diction. Technical perfection may get you a gold medal in gymnastics, but thankfully it only has a limited place in what makes a great performance. I realize there is a real fan rivalry between Elaine and Patti, and I apologize to one and all for posting on an Elaine song boosting Patti's version. Elaine is amazing here and amazing is standard for her.

[@marthacain1468]

ANYTHING~goes~!

[@arrioussammyalwaysforever1559]

2019.

[@tessietura]

as much as I like a little bit of Paige and I know they are limited to time , but on this occasion she was singing so fast I thought she was in a rush to catch the last bus

[@hannahrosenman]

can we talk about how the female ensemble is in tapping heels omg

[@natkobitz893]

Unmachable, what a talejt!

[@GAR9BALDI]

Elaine Page has a fantastic voice and can dance better than the New York productions I have seen.

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

Sure, Jan.

[@vroszii4200]

Can't believe Elaine Paige can do tap dance

[@dennett73mk]

Just as good as Patti in the same NY production..

[@meredithchandler73]

Of course people are going to compare Elaine and Patti. It does seem like this is the same choreography (if not exactly, then big chunks of it). But it doesn't seem fair to compare considering Elaine's version is faster than Patti's. It's understandable if it's harder to understand Elaine considering it would be harder to enunciate at a higher speed. Plus, the breath control needed while singing and dancing at that speed. And then at Patti's slightly slower speed you are singing longer phrases without breathing. And you probably have to be cleaner with your footwork than when the music is faster.

[@vino140]

Bottle it, Elaine !

[@jeffthompson2729]

Sutton Foster is the BEST!!!!!!!!!

[@7ingbai]

好喜欢啊

[@7ingbai]

她让我感到了那种……热情，好吧列表里想看的剧又多了一部

[@KeldorDAntrell]

Well, as a growing Elaine Paige fan I thought this performance was...interesting. I haven't seen Patti LuPone or Foster do this but I must agree with those who have criticised Elaine's diction. I couldn't understand the words she sang but, in her defence, it's a quick song and I often can't understand what singers sing. On the negative side, I noticed Elaine appeared to be running short of breath just before the dancers came on and she got a chance for a rest. I have read that she takes her health very seriously due the requirements of performing but it didn't look like it here. Also, her dancing looked a bit shaky and the tap dancing segment looked like she was an anxious celebrity on Strictly Come Dancing. Having said this, the dance floor seemed to be very shiny and I noticed a couple of the other women looking as if it was difficult underfoot in heels.

[@rosalbadilillo851]

sono brave entrambe

[@DaveInBridport]

Is Elaine Paige a smaller version of Nurse Gladys off Open All Hours?

[@KeldorDAntrell]

LOL

[@kellybrown8638]

She is no Sutton Foster

[@Sophia-qd8hp]

3:35

[@rosasupafly]

Great performance just wish the lighting would have done something more creative.

[@1GoodWoman]

Pretty singing, dancing? They need to watch the old masters for sure.

[@fredwaxaklahun]

waw

[@Gaffahead]

Patti is a better Eva than Elaine, but Elaine is a much better Reno Sweeney than Patti. Thanks for posting!

[@tet43]

Wow-She is teeny

[@lesleymcshanemitchell9651]

5feet of dynamite Miss Paige your the Top's

[@brandnewstance12]

I didn't enjoy the vocals. but loved her energy and spontaneity!

[@hakontvedt1405]

Was this not in one of the Fallout games?

[@davidcrawford6226]

Patti is too mannered, like Ethel Merman. Elaine becomes the character. That is good acting.

[@theofano_galani]

No one can beat Patti. She was pure class and charisma.

[@janetbratter1]

In all ways Patti excells...and she hits the finale high note. Well, each operates within the limitations of her gift. Still, there's only one Patti Lupone.

[@brittanyritenour4695]

You exactly right, I dont mean to down on anyone, because I have no reason to not like any of them but Patti Lupone was very good! She actually sort of has that oldies sound ike 50's, too her voice which matches the voices closer to that time period. Her voice is something you really dont see much anymore! Nobody has sang it quite the way she has!

[@theodorezuckerman7643]

Tempo is way too fast. One cannot appreciate the serious and persuasive effect of the rhythm when one hears it at this speed.

[@sophierobinson9914]

I personally like her better than Patti but Sutton just blows the competition away. Plus I wouldn't really call Patti a triple threat......

[@hollyrockhewlett]

Patti has a better voice then Sutton and Elaine, especially with her Julliard training!

[@chocolatesouljah]

Patti didn't train as a singer at Juilliard. She trained in acting.

[@willisthrilled]

+TheShowBoy Love maybe on this song she's better, but NO ONE (not Patti, not Sutton, not even Ethel Merman) can slay Blow Gabriel Blow like Elaine.

[@sirdarrian5883]

+Ritz you might have a point! I'm gonna have to listen to her sing Blow Gabriel Blow again

[@willisthrilled]

+Darrian Hew she's the only Reno I've heard who can belt "GAAAABRIEL, GAAAABRIEL" the way it's supposed to be…Cole would be proud!!!

[@ikedelacruz6655]

Pattis version is so much better

[@brittanyritenour4695]

Exactly!!!!

[@andrewroberts8139]

Go take a long walk off a short plank

[@gabrielcoronado6395]

She is excellent, but Patty Lupone is better in this role.

[@andrewroberts8139]

Shut up

[@brittanyritenour4695]

Patti Lupone is muchhhhhh bettterrrr! By Far!

[@DonDonadio]

You said it.

[@brittanyritenour4695]

nmharleyrider Yess!!

[@janetbratter1]

Absolutely!

[@irvrodriguez7806]

Agree!

[@nathanx2000.]

brittany ritenour so?

[@zuri2002]

Well... all three of them have their own distinct vocal and physical mannerisms. Elaine's is just the least obvious, acting-wise, although her interpretation sometimes borders on being too studied. Her vocal mannerisms are more obvious than Patti, though, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, since I think it's good thing to be able to identify a singer after one line. haha

[@faebrookeglen5169]

I didn't realize how tiny she is!

[@PtolemyJones]

She's no Mitzi Gaynor, but ,she'll do!

[@BroadwayG]

PtolemyJones Mitzi Gaynor?! Wow! There's a name not mentioned much anymore. I wonder how many commenting on Sutton and Lupone are aware of Gaynor. One is either a entertainment-buff or old like me who saw her on the big screen when the movies were new. It would have been interesting to hear and see her version of this song.

[@pffellows]

BroadwayG Yes, Mitzi Gaynor was a treasure, yet a little before my time and I only have vague memories of the movie.

[@BroadwayG]

BroadwayG Wow! I found a clip of Mitzi Gaynor doing this song right here on KZbin!

[@willisthrilled]

+PtolemyJones Mitzi WISHES she could sing like Elaine…

[@PtolemyJones]

You could ask her, she's on FaceBook, but I'm betting you're wrong.

[@tonyparadise7801]

Patti was great, Elaine -very good, Sutton- forget about it! She doesn't belong in the same company as these two.

[@DonDonadio]

Elaine swallows her words, it's difficult to understand what they are. On top of that she sloughs off on a lot of notes that go unheard. Sounds like she needs breath control lessons and it's a much weaker voice than Lupone for sure

[@ableadelaide5893]

mimed

[@Buckleigh]

I'll take Patti....thank you!

[@richa0254]

Sorry folks...nobody can touch Merman on this song...