Comedy legends French and Saunders to reunite on stage for first time in 17 years
The comedy duo will perform at the London Palladium this year
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are stepping back into the spotlight together as The London Palladium Pantomime unveils its latest rags-to-riches adventure.
Promising spectacular costumes, special effects and plenty of comedy, this new production of Cinderella brings Crossroads Pantomimes’ blockbuster panto formula back to one of London’s most famous stages!
Michael Harrison, on behalf of Crossroads Pantomimes, has unveiled the 11th season of The London Palladium Pantomime, revealing that Cinderella will take centre stage for Christmas 2026.
The production will also mark the long-awaited West End reunion of comedy icons French and Saunders, who will perform together on stage for the first time in 17 years, in this classic fairytale.
What is the production about?
The production is presented as a ‘magical’, ‘dazzling’ rags-to-riches Cinderella fairytale, centred on ‘the most magical ball in the land’, with ‘the most spectacular costumes in Pantoland’.
It will also see ‘sensational special effects’, ‘side-splitting comedy’ and all the traditional pantomime magic associated with the London Palladium.
When is it showing?
The production runs at the London Palladium from Saturday 5th December 2026 to Sunday 10th January 2027.
Who else stars in the production?
The production stars Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as the Ugly Sisters, with Julian Clary as The Fairy Godfather, alongside returning Palladium Panto favourites Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge, plus Dex Lee as Prince Charming and Hope Dawe as Cinderella.
What have Dawn and Jennifer said?
Dawn and Jennifer shared their excitement about returning to the West End together, noting they had had long dreamed of playing the Ugly Sisters.
"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," they said.
Well acquainted with the magic of pantomime at The London Palladium, Dawn has previously starred in two of 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 made her Palladium pantomime debut in the 2023/2024 production of Peter Pan, where she thrilled audiences as the villainous Captain Hook.
Michael Harrison added: "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.”
Who is the creative team?
Michael's production has set designs by Mark Walters and costume designs by Hugh Durrant, Teresa Nalton and Mike Coltman created especially for The London Palladium. With choreography by Karen Bruce, visual special effects by The Twins FX, lighting designs by Ben Cracknell, sound designs by Matt Peploe and composition and orchestrations by George Dyer.
Cinderella is produced and directed by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes. As a producer in the West End, his credits include Titanique, Hello, Dolly! Sunset Boulevard, The Little Big Things, Crazy For You, The Wizard of Oz, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
As well as The Drifters Girl, Gypsy, Starlight Express, 2025's summer season of Evita and this year’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium.
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