Comedy Icons Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders to Reignite Partnership as Ugly Sisters
Get ready, folks! Two titans of British comedy, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, are set to grace the stage together for the first time in a staggering 17 years. The dynamic duo, whose partnership has been a cornerstone of the comedy landscape for over four decades, first shot to fame in the 1980s. Their iconic sketch show, French and Saunders, launched in 1978, paving the way for a string of beloved hits, including the unforgettable Absolutely Fabulous and the enduringly popular The Vicar of Dibley.
Now, the legendary pair are swapping their usual roles for something a little more villainous, as they’ve been announced to star as the dastardly Ugly Sisters in this year’s Christmas pantomime at the prestigious London Palladium.
Reflecting on their upcoming roles, French and Saunders expressed their long-held ambition: “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.” Their wicked intentions are sure to be met with a roar of laughter from the audience.
They won’t be alone in their quest for panto mayhem. Joining them will be the flamboyant Julian Clary, taking on the role of the Fairy Godmother, alongside a familiar and much-loved cast of Palladium pantomime favourites, including Nigel Havers, ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, and the talented Rob Madge.
Palladium Panto A Star-Studded Affair
The London Palladium has become synonymous with spectacular pantomime productions, and this year’s Cinderella promises to be no exception. Both French and Saunders have prior experience treading the boards at the iconic venue. Dawn French has previously delighted audiences as Queen Dragonella in Snow White in 2018 and as the larger-than-life Dame Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk in 2022. Jennifer Saunders, who recently made a memorable appearance in the Amandaland Christmas special as Aunt Joan, made her own Palladium pantomime debut in 2023, tackling the iconic role of Captain Hook in Peter Pan.
Producer David
Dawn French’s Latest Comedy Venture Praised
This exciting theatrical news follows closely on the heels of Dawn French’s recent success with her new BBC comedy sitcom, Can You Keep a Secret? The show, which also features Mark Heap and Craig Roberts, garnered significant critical acclaim earlier this year.
The series was penned by Simon Mayhew-Archer, the son of the esteemed Vicar of Dibley writer Paul Mayhew-Archer. It was Simon who initially brought Dawn into the project, asking her to read a script for the nascent sitcom.
In an exclusive chat, French shared her initial hesitations: “When Paul bullied me into reading the script, I was nervous about it really, because I wasn’t really looking for a sitcom. I think they are few and far between – a good sitcom. I thought ‘oh no, this is another young writer and it’s not going to be great, and I’ll have to make up reasons and be polite [when turning it down]’.”
However, her reservations quickly dissolved upon reading the material: “But then I read it and really loved it. I knew what he was writing about – his dad – who I know well. I thought it had beautiful heart in it, as well as being really funny as well. I really liked how minimal it is funnily enough. There are outside scenes and all the rest of it, but it’s about what happens in that house, and I love the family and their dynamic, and I could completely see it immediately.”
Palladium Pantomime Continues Record-Breaking Streak
The London Palladium’s pantomime tradition is clearly going from strength to strength. Last year’s 10th-anniversary production of Sleeping Beauty didn’t just enchant audiences; it shattered the Palladium Pantomime’s own record for the largest ever audience over a five-week season, drawing in over 137,000 patrons.
This remarkable turnout surpassed the previous record of 132,000 attendees set by Robin Hood in 2024. The success of Sleeping Beauty not only cemented its place as the highest-grossing pantomime of all time but also achieved the highest-grossing week for any show at the box office in the Palladium’s history. The anticipation for this year’s Cinderella, starring French and Saunders, is undoubtedly high, with expectations for another record-breaking run.
The prospect of seeing two of Britain’s most cherished comedic talents unite on stage once more is a treat for fans old and new. Their legendary chemistry and impeccable comedic timing are sure to make this panto a truly unforgettable experience.
