Where to Watch Julian Clary, French and Saunders and Nigel Havers in Panto this Christmas
Christmas is coming to the London Palladium, and this year’s spectacular pantomime is bringing together comedy royalty, a panto favourite and a star-studded cast for Cinderella.
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are reuniting on the West End stage for the first time in 17 years, taking on the roles of Cinderella’s gloriously wicked Ugly Sisters.
They will be joined by Julian Clary, who returns to the Palladium in another larger-than-life panto role as the glittering Fairy Godfather.
With returning favourites including Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge, plus newcomers Dex Lee and Hope Dawe, the production is shaping up to be one of the biggest Christmas theatre events in London.
Key details
- Show: Cinderella
- Venue: London Palladium
- Christmas panto: 2026
- Ugly Sisters: Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders
- Fairy Godfather: Julian Clary
- Prince Charming: Dex Lee
- Cinderella: Hope Dawe
- Also starring: Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge
- Ticket prices: From £69.50
- Tickets: Available through the official Palladium pantomime ticketing site
Who is starring in the London Palladium pantomime?
The 2026 Palladium panto has assembled a particularly impressive cast.
Comedy legends Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders will play the Ugly Sisters, marking their first West End stage reunion in 17 years.
The pair are expected to bring their trademark comedy to the roles, with the sisters set to provide plenty of chaos as they attempt to stand in Cinderella’s way.
Julian Clary will play the Fairy Godfather, giving the role his unmistakable panto personality.
Clary is a long-established favourite at the Palladium and has become synonymous with the venue’s annual Christmas spectacular.
Also returning are Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge, all familiar faces to Palladium panto audiences.
The production’s romantic leads will be played by Dex Lee, who takes on the role of Prince Charming, and musical theatre performer Hope Dawe, who will step into the famous glass slippers as Cinderella.
What is Cinderella at the Palladium about?
The classic rags-to-riches fairytale gets the full London Palladium treatment this Christmas.
Audiences can expect the familiar story of Cinderella, the wicked Ugly Sisters and the magical transformation that sees her given the chance to attend the most spectacular ball in the land.
But this is no ordinary production of the fairytale.
The Palladium promises spectacular costumes, special effects, plenty of comedy and all the traditional panto ingredients audiences have come to expect from its Christmas productions.
With Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather and French and Saunders as the Ugly Sisters, the comedy is likely to be just as important as the magic.
How much are London Palladium Cinderella tickets?
Tickets for Cinderella at the London Palladium start from £69.50.
Prices can vary depending on the performance date, time and seat location, so anyone looking for the cheapest tickets should check individual performances rather than assuming every show will cost the same.
For the latest availability and ticket information, visit the official Palladium ticket information page.
How do you get tickets for the London Palladium panto?
Tickets can be booked through the official London Palladium pantomime website.
The production is expected to be a major Christmas draw, particularly with French and Saunders returning to the West End stage together and Julian Clary back in one of his signature panto roles.
It is therefore worth checking availability early if you have a particular date or seating area in mind.
The official Cinderella cast and creatives page also has further information about the production and its stars.
What can audiences expect from the Palladium panto?
The London Palladium has built a reputation for putting on some of the UK’s biggest and most extravagant pantomimes, and Cinderella promises to continue that tradition.
The production is billed as a spectacular Christmas experience packed with dazzling costumes, special effects, comedy and classic pantomime magic.
The combination of French and Saunders, Julian Clary, Nigel Havers, Paul Zerdin and Rob Madge also gives the show a mix of comedy, theatre and traditional Palladium panto entertainment.
For families looking for a festive theatre trip — or adults wanting a Christmas night out packed with big-name comedy — Cinderella could be one of the season’s standout West End shows.
Is Cinderella at the London Palladium worth seeing?
With tickets starting at £69.50 and a cast featuring some of Britain’s best-known comedy and theatre performers, the Palladium’s Cinderella is set to be one of the major pantomime productions of the Christmas season.
The biggest talking point is undoubtedly the reunion of Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, who have not appeared together on the West End stage for 17 years.
Add Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather and Palladium favourites Nigel Havers, Paul Zerdin and Rob Madge, and there is plenty to attract both regular panto fans and audiences looking for a big festive night out.
For anyone planning a Christmas trip to London, Cinderella at the London Palladium is one to have on the list.
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