Julian Clary returns as Fairy Godfather as 2026 Palladium panto cast is unveiled
julian clary will appear as the Fairy Godfather in the London Palladium production of Cinderella, joining a cast topped by the reunited comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as the Ugly Sisters for the 2026 season.
What happens when French and Saunders reunite on the Palladium stage?
The pair will perform together in the West End for the first time in 17 years, playing the Ugly Sisters. They described the casting with a single warning: “It won’t be pretty. ” Their long collaboration stretches back to their student days at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and includes a successful sketch series, tours in 1990 and 2000, a 2008-09 tour, and a podcast released in 2020. Both have prior Palladium pantomime experience: Dawn French appeared as Queen Dragonella in Snow White and later as Dame Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk; Jennifer Saunders made her Palladium panto debut as Captain Hook.
What does this casting mean for the season and for Julian Clary?
The announced principal company frames the production as a mix of pantomime regulars and fresh Palladium debuts. Michael Harrison, producer for Crossroads Pantomimes, returns as the production’s lead creative force. The cast list published for the run includes established Palladium performers alongside new faces, highlighting a continuity that has defined the venue’s festive offering since its revival.
- Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders — Ugly Sisters
- julian clary — Fairy Godfather
- Paul Zerdin — returning panto performer
- Nigel Havers — returning panto performer
- Rob Madge — returning by popular demand
- Dex Lee — Prince Charming (Palladium debut)
- Hope Dawe — Cinderella (Palladium debut)
This line-up marks an 11th consecutive season for a core group of performers who have appeared at the theatre since the pantomime was revived, anchoring the production with familiar personalities while introducing two principal cast members in leading roles at the Palladium for the first time. The run is scheduled from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027, with tickets going on sale on 2 April.
What should audiences expect and what comes next?
The production is positioned as a traditional rags-to-riches Cinderella with heightened spectacle: costume, effects and comedy are highlighted as central draws. Producer commentary notes that recent productions have set new audience records at the venue, with one prior pantomime breaking all records and drawing in excess attendance figures in the hundreds of thousands over its run. The presence of two established comedy icons reunited on stage, combined with long-standing Palladium performers and new principal leads, suggests a blend of nostalgia and fresh casting designed to sustain the theatre’s holiday momentum. Tickets and scheduling details will determine how demand translates into box-office performance, but the announced cast frames expectations for a high-profile festive season.
Theatregoers and season planners should note the following immediate points of action: secure tickets when on-sale opens, monitor announced performance schedules, and consider casting dynamics when planning group or family attendance. For fans of pantomime continuity and reunion-driven publicity, the draw of Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders together with the established Palladium ensemble creates a clear headline for the 2026 season.
Ultimately, the announcement reinforces the Palladium’s strategy of mixing celebrated comedy talent with a reliable core company to deliver a commercially robust festive pantomime. As the run approaches and sales move, attention will centre on how this particular combination of performers converts nostalgia and novelty into audience attendance, and how julian clary figures into the production’s box-office and critical reception
