Nicole Scherzinger has said it was the role she was "born to do" and last night there was a standing ovation of approval as she triumphed as Grizabella in the Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's new West End production of Cats. She was in purr-fect company as among those clearly impressed with her rendition of the show's big number Memories was the original Grizabella, Elaine Paige, who no doubt had her own 'memories' to share with the glamorous former Pussycat Doll and X Factor judge.
Nicole Scherzinger with Elaine Paige
"It brings back wonderful memories for me," said Elaine, who was in the original Cats cast in 1981. The celebrations also reunited Elaine with the Cats director Trevor Nunn and writer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Stylish 36-year-old Nicole - whose boyfriend Lewis Hamilton had seen the show at the London Palladium earlier in the week - was joined by designer friends Matthew Williamson and John Napier who created her bespoke stage costume as the one-time glamour-puss.
The musical based on TS Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats joins a tribe of cats - called the Jellicles - and the night one of them is chosen to take a new life. The musical ran for 21 years in London and 18 years on Broadway. Nicole will perform in the role of Grizabella until 7 February.
catsthemusical.com/london