One was never taught how to begin at drama school. But all it required was one intake of breath.

Paige was the first Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard to sing one of the show's key songs "With One Look" which Elaine Paige did first at Lloyd Webber's wedding to Madeleine Gurdon although at the time the song was called "Just One Glance". Regarding the pressure of having to be in a fit condition to perform in theatre each night Elaine Paige remarked "you wouldn't want to read the letters people write when you're off and they're disappointed – it's so awful the guilt one feels for not being there". She reprised the role of Grizabella for the video release of Cats in 1998 one of only two performers in the film from the original London cast the other one being Susan Jane Tanner as Jellylorum.

She has also worked sporadically in television. Paige made her Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard in 1996 playing the lead role of Norma Desmond to critical acclaim. She then appeared in the original stage production of Chess followed by a starring role in Anything Goes which Elaine Paige also co-produced.