Play: Me and Mamie O’Rourke: Apollo Theatre, London, 1993
French and Saunders Live: Hammersmith Apollo, London, 2000
Play: My Brilliant Divorce (starring Dawn French): Apollo Theatre, London, 2003
French and Saunders: Still Alive: The Final Farewell: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, 2009
Dawn French: Thirty Million Minutes: Vaudeville Theatre, London, 2015
Dawn French Is A Huge Twat: London Palladium, London 2023
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders have been the most popular female comedy double act in Britain for over thirty years. I first saw them star together in a play in London’s West End called Me and Mamie O’Rourke written by Mary Agnes O’Donaghue and set in a Los Angeles TV movie hell. They certainly proved they could both act but it wasn’t until the year 2000 that I saw them on tour at the Hammersmith Apollo, London and they were extremely funny. Sketches including a game of filthy Pokemon worked well but what made the performers stand out was their immense likeability with the audience and it was a very entertaining evening.
Three years later I saw French on her own star in My Brilliant Divorce, a one woman-play written by Geraldine Aron. French is very funny company to be with and tackled the difficult subject of loneliness with ease.
I saw French and Saunders once last time in 2009 at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London for Still Alive: The Final Farewell. Since starting out at Comedy Store with The Comic Strip the night was a host of favourite sketches over the years mixed with new material. Their strengths of personality playing off each other with liveliness and playfulness was wonderful to witness.
30 Million Minutes, French’s solo show in 2015 was a personal story of the comedy star – the title relating to her time on earth was a reflection of her past glories meeting and working with Jennifer Saunders to the untimely tragic passing of her father. There was lots of humour and warmth for the sublime performer.
The Twat Files is French’s 2023 book, and her new solo show Dawn French Is A Huge Twat, that I watched in October 2023 at the London Palladium, is based on the book. Describing her big mistakes during her wonderful career makes for great comedy. Her stories of her encounter with celebrities and career opportunities were pricelessly funny. One such story featured messing up her singing audition for the ABBA Mamma Mia! movie so badly, she lost the role which went to Julie Walters. As a finale, she has always wanted to sing As Long As He Needs Me from the musical Oliver! Which she did, note perfect, and to a standing ovation. The comedian has fuuny bones, and is exceptionally warm, hilarious and endearing in front of an audience.
French with her brilliantly funny face and enthusiasm for a laugh, and Saunders with her sulking, frustrated persona always makes me smile when I think of them and their legacy in modern British comedy is unsurpassed.