ELAINE PAIGE AS NORMA DESMOND

[@CJ-hg9cs]

I always like how Elaine doesn't just stand there and sing the songs and really tells a story with her voice and clear diction. Her voice is very rich here and really fills the venue. And the "I've come hooooooome" part that she tweaked all those years ago really adds to that particular line as well. Love it. Everybody has their favorite Norma. She is my favourite.

[@MONZON68]

Those who criticize this performance because Elaine appears "past her prime", or because she is "overacting" miss the whole point of Sunset Boulevard. Norma Desmond is a caricature of herself, a sad reminder of the passage of time and those who are stuck in the past. This is why Elaine Paige is so brilliant in this role, because she can portray that character, with all her mannerisms and facial clichés, in such a convincing way that while on that stage, she IS Norma.

[@k.h.4698]

Elaine Paige performs this song perfectly, and her experience as a trained musical actress proves it. Some singers merely sing the lyrivs to this song, but with Ms, Paige’s rendition, you become convinced she IS Norma Desmond.

[@dianeellis92]

This is one of my favorites, along with Memory and Just One Look.....Oh, and I Know Him So Well.......good heavens...there are so many that Elaine has done and made more famous! Love the theatrics, too!

[@dianeellis4130]

This is from her Celebration of 40 Years on Stage performances. She sings all her trademark songs BEST in this presentation. Absolutely stunning and captivating. What a talent! There is no one like her.

[@charlesfaustino4029]

Ohhh GOSSSSHHHH.. theatrically emotionally SUPERB!!!😙😚😍

[@cynaraslover]

My other half and l saw the opening in July 1993 at the Adelphi, with LuPone, and a year later we saw Buckley, and both were good. But we saw Paige do it in January of 1995, and she was, in every way, singing and acting, the best. Brava, Elaine.

[@ramona2400]

You should have seen Ms Diahann Carroll do this role. I love Elaine as well, she looks and sounds amazing here.

[@waynedevonald155]

Peter Duggan I agree! All were great but 'Elaine' was my Fav!x

[@antoniotermulo9214]

She is a magnificent 👨‍🎤. Superb performance of a Diva.👩‍🎤👩‍🎤❤️❤️🌹🌹✌️👍

[@dianeellis6021]

waynebrasier: Yes Barbara is an excellent singer. I have every recording she has made. She was my idol in the 70's / 80's. She is still very good. Elaine is a different type of singer, being so very theatrical. Both are great, in their different respects. You are correct in that they have both aged very well. Elaine is my favorite these days, as she brings the presence of stage back in visibility, which we really need...and such magnificent talent!

[@dlm0702]

I saw Close, Buckley and Paige - Paige was the all around best performance. Amazing!

[@mkermmoade]

That voice fills the auditorium, and gives me chills--even in my living room! For a brief moment, I am transported to old Hollywood--thank you Norma/Elaine!

[@WHATTHEBUCKSHOW]

SO GOOD!

[@GaudzRamirez]

Love Elaine Paige! Love her voice!

[@neonmoon82]

I think Elaine Paige is very underrated as a per former and she is perfect in this role,

[@multisockmonkey]

Wow! She does indeed still have it.

[@LornaKellyZim]

What an artiste, what poise and dignity even before she opens her mouth! She turns quite a mundane song into a painting of worth.

[@earlady66]

This is from her DVD celebrating 40 years in musical theater. Isn't she grand??!!! The whole DVD is just wonderful...and was made only last year. She's still got it!! :)

[@ImezOmBiE]

She has taught the world new ways to dream :)

[@MUSICCGP]

This lady is Fantastic!

[@stevenkun01]

love love love Ms. Paige!! can't wait to see her in Taipei this year!

[@irmavaras4068]

Magnifica voz magnifica interpretación .

[@k.h.4698]

Was his recorded at the Sydney Opera House? Miss Paige’s rendition is perfectlyperformed from an actress’ point if view, which makes it so believable. Most singers who do this song, well, just sing, and don’t immerse themselves into it, and in the process, drag us toointo the magic. The orchestra is magnificent, as if i can feel every stroke of a violin or bass. Just pure heaven.

[@waynebrasler]

I'm a Norma Desmond basket case and really love every lady who has done this role, but I think honestly Paige is the one who really nailed it in terms of appearance, acting, voice and singing. She brings the music into technicolor. But the one artist we need still to witness in this role is of course Miss Streisand. Don't count that out.

[@ramona2400]

Elaine is great but Diahann Carroll was the best Norma Desmond for me.

[@thomasretallick6228]

Oh my gosh!!

[@waynebrasler]

Well, Barbra is the person the composer always thought of for the movie and he chose her to come to London to record two songs of the show for single release and they were worldwide hits. Anyone who saw Barbra in "Funny Girl" on Broadway will tell you she has incredible theatrical stage presence but she doesn't have the broad broad experience and record Paige has. What amazes me about both Streisand and Paige is how well they have aged; they are both still sensational.

[@frankly-he1kf]

The greatest norma ever.....end of. ....

[@JB-zq5xr]

Adoreeeeeee you Elaine❤

[@PatrickGallagher2269]

God, she looks so much like Gloria Swanson.

[@LIsann1971]

does anybody know where we can find the whole performance with Elaine Paige? Found the one with Betty Buckley but i'd like to get the Elaine Paige one.

[@dianeellis4130]

Streisand couldn't hold a candle to Elaine Paige. Elaine is the best of the best!

[@pgoodhead1]

In my fantasy version of Sunset Boulevard, I wanted so much to see Dorothy Squires play Norma Desmond!

[@withonelook1985]

@darreyl102 Im aware... which is why I asked the question I asked...

[@hbotis]

DITCH CLOSE! She can't sing and over-acts! OMG, Elaine is brilliant in this. I had good memories of her doing this on Broadway, but look at her acting-- SUPERB! She is THE musical-actress of our time.

[@dianeellis6021]

Streisand wouldn't do this part well. She doesn't have the theatrical stage presence that Elaine has. Streisand is more of a prep singer. Elaine is truly the best!

[@paulhughes1379]

do you have i know him so well?

[@joannecarroll1]

How about "Small Packages" - unique & written for Elaine - she is short!

[@withonelook1985]

I love Elaine Paige, and she does an incredible job on this song... But the one thing Id like to know is why, regardless of who is singing, the performer is always wearing this costume... its the wrong costume for the part of the show this number comes from...

[@hefinrosser8685]

Omg how much work has she had done?? I hardly recognise her!!

[@jdishmael001]

reverse that thought

[@patricialavender2902]

Elaine is very much a singer of musical theatre. Barbra Streisand is the most versatile of all.

[@jdishmael001]

LIES YOU SPEAK!!!! ALL HAIL QUEEN BARBRA!

[@JohnnyBlowstar]

This is tragically bad. When the hell did she do it? And what has she trowelled on her face, render ?

[@russellwright1324]

Elaine Paige was the 3rd Norma Desmond replacement on Broadway in the 90s. While not my fave Norma I wouldn't call her tragically bad. I will say that this seems to be an overwrought concert clip many years after and she's not in her vocal prime.