Legendary theatre actress Elaine Paige has revealed that she was addicted to sleeping pills at the height of her stage career.
Having made her West End debut in Hair aged 16, Paige, 78, has gone on to become one of the country’s most prestigious stage stars and starred in productions such as Evita and Chess.
Struggles with sleep
But in a new interview, Paige, who was made a Dame last year, has spoken about how she turned to sleeping tablets to help her sleep amid the hectic evening schedule of a theatre actor.
“For many years in the theatre I lived on sleeping pills, otherwise you’re wired until 2am after a show,” she told The Sunday Times, explaining that she called it “my Judy Garland syndrome” in reference to the late Wizard of Oz star, who struggled with drug addiction throughout her career.
“They’re dreadful things to become addicted to, which I was,” Paige said, explaining that she’d kicked the habit in the last decade.
Recovery and recognition
“Since the pandemic I’ve managed to get off them and will not take one again. I say to myself that even if I don’t sleep well, I’ll be fine the next day. I’m not ready to take afternoon naps yet,” she added.
Paige, who originated the role of Grizabella in Cats with the musical theatre standard “Memory”, admitted that she remained “a bit of an insomniac” and seemed to wake up after four hours”, but was no longer reliant on the pills for assistance.
Last year, the Radio 2 presenter was given a Damehood in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to music and charity.
“I’m kind of still in that mode of complete disbelief. You know, it’s been such a shock. And I think probably the word to say is ‘astonished’,” she said of receiving the title.
“I received a letter in the post, and I opened the letter and I read it once, and then I thought, no. I read it again and probably three times. I couldn’t believe it.”
Further honours
Paige was honoured again this year with the Special Award at the Oliviers, with Queen Camilla paying tribute to the performer of bringing “huge joy to untold numbers of people”.
