Elaine Paige on Sunday
| Genre | Showtunes |
|---|---|
| Running time | 2 hours |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | BBC Radio 2 |
| Starring | Elaine Paige |
| Producer(s) | Malcolm Prince (2004–10)[1] Julie Newman (2010–12)[2] Jessica Rickson (2012–)[3] |
| Recording studio | Western House, London |
| Air dates | since 5 September 2004 |
| Audio format | Stereophonic sound |
| Website | Official website |
Elaine Paige on Sunday (often referred to on air as EPOS) is a British radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2, that is hosted by the actress and singer Elaine Paige. The show launched on 5 September 2004 and features music from stage and screen productions and interviews from celebrity guests. The producer of Elaine Paige on Sunday is Jessica Rickson.
Contents
History
In July 2004, it was announced Paige would be presenting a new BBC Radio 2 show on Sunday afternoons featuring music from stage and screen productions.[4] The BBC Press Office said the programme would feature a weekly competition, listener requests and interviews with people who have created and starred in musicals.[5] Of joining the BBC, Paige said "I am so excited to be joining BBC Radio 2. I'm really looking forward to this new challenge...and all without having to put on lots of make up and a hot and heavy costume!"[5] Elaine Paige on Sunday began broadcasting from 5 September in a 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm slot.[4][6] In March 2009, the BBC announced the show would be extended by thirty minutes.[7] The extended show began airing from 5 April with an ABBA special and featured interviews with Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.[7]
Paige has interviewed many people from the world of musicals, films and television, including Marvin Hamlisch, Cameron Mackintosh, Tim Rice, Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Minnelli, Bette Midler and Barry Manilow.[8] In 2009, Elaine Paige on Sunday celebrated five years on air. Paige commented "The last five years have flown by and I'd like to thank the listeners for their unstinting support."[8] In 2011, The Stage's Matthew Hemley joined the show to discuss the latest theatre news.[9] That same year saw Don Black and Barbara Windsor fill in for Paige, while she played Carlotta Campion in Follies on Broadway.[10][11][12] Paige returned in December for three festive specials.[10]
Reception
Elaine Paige on Sunday attracts around two million listeners a week.[13] In May 2005, The Guardian's Elisabeth Mahoney gave the show an unfavourable review. She called the introduction of Paige as a "rare wrong move" on the part of Radio 2.[14] Mahoney went on to say "But what this flat, glassy show lacks is any sense of connection with its audience and any real personality. It's a chilly, alienating listening experience, quite at odds with its snug, easy-going Sunday lunchtime slot.[14] In 2007, Lisa Martland of The Stage said while Paige had become more relaxed and confident on the air, she had realised the music was bringing her back to show on a regular basis and not the singer's lightweight presenting style.[15] Martland added "News snippets about forthcoming productions and interviews are included, but often these opportunities are wasted and there is a distinct lack of imagination about the whole affair."[15]
In 2008, Miranda Sawyer from The Guardian commented that while Paige is not part of her natural Sunday afternoon listening, her interviews can be insightful.[16] Sawyer said "as a singer herself, she commands respect from other artists and she obviously understands the workings of musical theatre."[16] On 8 March 2010, The Daily Telegraph's Gillian Reynolds chose Elaine Paige on Sunday as one of her BBC iPlayer radio choices.[17]
References
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