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‘It won’t be pretty!’ French and Saunders to play the Ugly Sisters in Palladium panto
Comedy duo will take the stage together in the West End for the first time in 17 years in Cinderella alongside Julian Clary
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are to return to the stage together for the first time in 17 years to play the Ugly Sisters in the London Palladium pantomime.
“It won’t be pretty,†the popular duo predicted in an announcement on Tuesday. “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.â€
The pair began performing together almost 50 years ago after meeting as students at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. They collaborated on a hugely successful sketch comedy series for the BBC and toured together in 1990 and 2000. Their last tour, French and Saunders: Still Alive!, was in 2008-09 and they teamed up again for a podcast, Titting About, in 2020.
Further cast announced for Cinderella at The London Palladium
Further casting has been revealed for The London Palladium pantomime, Cinderella.
As revealed, the comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, will appear as the Ugly Sisters.
They join returning cast members including Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather, alongside Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge.
Also in the principal cast are Dex Lee as Prince Charming and Hope Dawe as Cinderella, both making their Palladium pantomime debuts.
The production marks the 11th year that Clary, Zerdin and Havers have appeared in the Palladium pantomime since its revival in 2016, produced and directed by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes.
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The 2026 London Palladium Pantomime – News
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Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes today announces the 11th season of The London Palladium Pantomime, revealing that comedy legends French & Saunders will reunite on stage in the West End for the first time in 17 years in the magical rags-to-riches fairytale Cinderella, running Saturday 5 December 2026 – Sunday 10 January 2027,
They will join London Palladium royalty, Julian Clary, wand in hand as The Fairy Godfather, alongside Palladium Panto favourites Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge, as London's most spectacular pantomime returns to its most iconic theatre.
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