Comedy Icons Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders Announce Major Reunion After 17 Years
In a thrilling announcement for British comedy fans, legendary duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders have confirmed they will reunite for the first time in 17 years. The pair, who have been mainstays in the entertainment industry for over four decades since rising to prominence in the 1980s, will star together in this year's Christmas pantomime at the iconic London Palladium.
Playing the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella: A Dream Fulfilled
French and Saunders will take on the roles of the Ugly Sisters in a production of Cinderella, marking their first joint performance since their last collaboration nearly two decades ago. The comedy partners expressed their excitement about the upcoming 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.'
The duo first launched their groundbreaking comedy sketch show French and Saunders in 1978, which catapulted them to national fame. Over the years, they have individually starred in numerous hit television shows including Absolutely Fabulous and The Vicar of Dibley, cementing their status as comedy royalty.
Star-Studded Cast and Production Details
Joining French and Saunders in the production will be Julian Clary as the Fairy Godmother, along with returning favorites Nigel Havers, Paul Zerdin, and Rob Madge. The London Palladium has become renowned for its annual pantomime productions, which consistently attract record-breaking audiences.
Michael Harrison, the producer, commented on the casting coup: '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.'
Proven Track Record of Success
The London Palladium pantomime has established itself as a major theatrical event in recent years. Last year's 10th anniversary production of Sleeping Beauty broke the venue's own attendance record, drawing more than 137,000 patrons across a five-week season. This achievement surpassed the previous record of 132,000 set by Robin Hood in 2024, making it the highest-grossing pantomime of all time and achieving the highest-grossing week for any show at the box office.
Individual Pantomime Experience
Both French and Saunders bring considerable pantomime experience to the production. Dawn French has previously appeared twice at The London Palladium, playing Queen Dragonella in Snow White in 2018 and Dame Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk in 2022. Jennifer Saunders made her Palladium pantomime debut more recently in 2023, taking on the role of Captain Hook in Peter Pan.
The reunion marks a significant moment in British entertainment history, bringing together two of the country's most beloved comedic talents for what promises to be a memorable holiday season production. Fans of the duo, who haven't seen them perform together since 2009, are eagerly anticipating their return to the stage and the unique chemistry that made them household names.
