Nicole Scherzinger debuts on “Cats”

Singer Nicole Scherzinger has made her West End debut as Grizabella in “Cats” - watched by the theatre star who created the role more than 30 years ago. Elaine Paige, who was in the original “Cats” cast in 1981, was in the audience for the musical's return at the London Palladium.

Former Pussycat Dolls singer Scherzinger received loud cheers when she performed “Memory” - the show's most famous song.

“Without a blemish on her face, she struggles to convince as a has-been,” wrote the Telegraph's Dominic Cavendish, in his four-star review. “In the second half reprise though, she finds something deep inside and truly makes your hairs stand on end.”Other reviewers also reviewed her performance highly.

Paige said Thursday's opening night was the first time she had seen Cats as an audience member. “It's always interesting to see a new incarnation of something when you've been involved in it first time round. It's amazing to see how innovative and ahead of its time it was. It seems a lifetime ago,” she added. "Nine lives ago.”

Source: BBC