Comedy Icons Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders to Reunite on West End Stage
In a major theatrical announcement, comedy titans Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are set to reunite on stage for the first time in seventeen years. The legendary duo will headline the world-famous London Palladium's annual pantomime this Christmas, starring in a new production of the classic rags-to-riches fairytale, Cinderella.
A Dream Come True for the Comedy Duo
French and Saunders expressed their excitement about the project, stating: "We have wished to play the Ugly Sisters for so many years, it feels this is the fulfilment of a dream - a dream our hearts made. Watch out. It won’t be pretty." This marks a significant return to the stage together, with their last joint performance dating back nearly two decades.
Star-Studded Cast and Palladium Royalty
The production will feature an impressive ensemble cast. Julian Clary will take on the role of The Fairy Godfather, continuing his remarkable streak of appearing in every Palladium pantomime since the tradition was revived in 2016. He will be joined by fellow panto favourites Paul Zerdin and Nigel Havers, who also share this eleven-year unbroken record.
Rob Madge returns by popular demand following a triumphant debut in 2022's Jack and the Beanstalk. The principal company welcomes new talent with Dex Lee, known for his long-running role in BBC One's Doctors, making his Palladium pantomime debut as Prince Charming. Musical theatre star Hope Dawe will step into the glass slippers as Cinderella, also marking her first appearance in the venue's festive production.
Proven Track Record of Success
Both French and Saunders are no strangers to the magic of pantomime at The London Palladium. Dawn French has previously appeared twice in Michael Harrison's productions: first as Queen Dragonella in Snow White (2018/2019) and later as Dame Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk (2022/2023). Jennifer Saunders made her Palladium pantomime debut in the 2023/2024 season of Peter Pan, delighting audiences as the dastardly Captain Hook.
The venue's pantomimes have demonstrated remarkable commercial success. Last year's tenth anniversary production of Sleeping Beauty broke multiple records, including:
- Attracting over 137,000 patrons across a five-week season
- Surpassing the previous record of 132,000 for Robin Hood in 2024
- Becoming the highest-grossing pantomime of all time
- Achieving the highest-grossing week for any show at the iconic venue's box office
Producer's Vision and Audience Expectations
Producer Michael Harrison commented on the upcoming production: "Last year's production of Sleeping Beauty broke all records at the London Palladium. We always want to raise the bar for our incredible panto audiences each year, so I'm absolutely delighted that Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders will be starring in this year's Cinderella. Having two of the nation's most beloved comedy icons together on the Palladium stage is incredibly exciting. Their legendary chemistry and razor-sharp humour will make this a truly special experience for audiences."
Ticket Information and Availability
Tickets for this highly anticipated production will go on general sale at 10am on Thursday 2 April 2026. Priority booking will be available from Tuesday 31 March at 10am through the official Palladium Pantomime website. This reunion promises to be one of the most talked-about theatrical events of the festive season, combining Britain's best-loved comedy partnership with the magic of traditional pantomime at one of the world's most iconic venues.
