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Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are to reunite on stage for the first time in 17 years, playing the Ugly Sisters in the London Palladium pantomime production of Cinderella. The duo, who began performing together almost 50 years ago, predicted that their performance “won’t be pretty”, but expressed their excitement at finally fulfilling their dream of playing the iconic roles.The pair have a long history of collaboration, starting with their meeting as students at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. They went on to create a hugely successful sketch comedy series for the BBC and have toured together several times, including their last tour, French and Saunders: Still Alive!, in 2008-09. In 2020, they teamed up again for a podcast, Titting About.Michael Harrison, the producer of the Palladium panto, expressed his delight at having French and Saunders on board, citing their legendary chemistry and razor-sharp humour as a guarantee of a special experience for audiences. The production will also star Dex Lee as Prince Charming, Hope Dawe as Cinderella, and several other notable actors who have previously starred in pantos at the venue.The London Palladium has a history of hosting successful pantomimes, including Clary's 2016 production of Cinderella, described by the Guardian as a “tsunami of smut”. More recently, Catherine Tate joined the cast for the 2025 panto, Sleeping Beauty, which broke records with over 137,000 theatregoers attending.French and Saunders' production of Cinderella runs from 5 December to 10 January, with tickets going on sale on 2 April.

The women's tennis landscape has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with a new generation of players emerging as top contenders. Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva, currently ranked No 9 and No 10 in the world, respectively, are leading the charge. These two teenagers, who are not only fierce rivals but also close friends, recently faced off in a highly anticipated Miami Open fourth-round match.Before their big match, Mboko and Andreeva demonstrated their camaraderie by competing together in doubles on the same side of the net. This lighthearted approach helped them relax and enjoy each other's company, showcasing a refreshing dynamic in professional tennis. Despite their friendly rapport, both players are fiercely competitive and determined to win every match.The emergence of Mboko and Andreeva, along with other young players, marks a departure from previous eras of women's tennis, which often featured tension and rivalry between top players. The current crop of teenagers, including Iva Jovic, Maya Joint, and Alexandra Eala, is steadily rising through the rankings and supporting each other both on and off the court.This new generation of players is characterized by their friendliness and camaraderie, which is a significant shift from the past. Players like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina regularly train together, demonstrating that it's possible to maintain friendships while still competing fiercely on the court.In their recent match, Mboko and Andreeva engaged in a tense and bruising tussle, with Mboko ultimately emerging victorious with a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-0 win. Despite the intensity of the match, the two players showed respect and sportsmanship, with Andreeva apologizing to Mboko after the match and the pair hugging warmly.The evolving dynamics of women's tennis are exciting to watch, with a new generation of players bringing a fresh perspective to the sport. As Mboko and Andreeva continue to compete and grow as players, their friendship and rivalry will undoubtedly be a key part of the sport's future.

The stone-bounded churchyard is home to a pair of stonechats that flit between gravestone perches with their characteristic call – which is uncannily like two pebbles being snicked together. As the author hauls themselves up on to the narrow shoulder of the hill, they note the presence of choughs, a welcome speciality of this coast's ecology, with their starkly red beak and legs.