Comedy legends Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are poised to make a triumphant return to the stage together for the first time in nearly two decades. The beloved duo will take on the iconic roles of the Ugly Sisters in a spectacular new production of Cinderella at the world-famous London Palladium.
A Long-Awaited Stage Reunion
This highly anticipated reunion marks their first joint stage performance since the conclusion of their Still Alive! The Final Farewell Tour in November 2008. For fans who have followed their careers since their groundbreaking BBC sketch show ran from 1987 to 2005, this announcement represents a dream come true.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
They will be joined by an impressive ensemble cast including Julian Clary as The Fairy Godfather, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers, and Rob Madge. The production is produced and directed by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes, who expressed immense excitement about securing the comedy pair.
Harrison stated: '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.'
Fulfilling a Shared Dream
French and Saunders themselves released a joint statement brimming with enthusiasm: '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.'
Both performers have recent experience at the Palladium venue, with French appearing in Snow White in 2019 and Jack And The Beanstalk in 2023, while Saunders performed in Peter Pan in 2023. This shared venue history adds another layer of significance to their reunion.
Production Details and Ticket Information
The Cinderella production will run from December 5 to January 10, 2027, offering audiences a festive theatrical experience. Tickets will go on general sale at 10am on Thursday, April 2, 2026, with expectations of high demand given the star power involved.
Behind-the-Scenes Chemistry and Humour
Harrison further elaborated on what audiences can expect: '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.'
This professional collaboration follows a recent revelation by Saunders about their personal history. During an appearance on Claudia Winkleman's BBC chat show, she recounted a humorous anecdote about their botched attempt to experiment with an ecstasy tablet years ago.
Saunders explained: 'Dawn and I once thought we'd be really daring, and we got an ecstasy tablet. We kept it on Dawn's mantlepiece and one day – about six months later – we thought, 'Okay, we're ready.' After getting our water, we prepared to take the pill, only to discover it had disappeared!' She described the outcome as 'quite a relief.'
This blend of professional excellence and personal camaraderie promises to make the Cinderella production a standout event in London's theatrical calendar, combining classic pantomime tradition with contemporary comedic brilliance.
