Morning:
14°c
Some fares could fall by more than a third when Oyster is extended to every national rail station in London, it has emerged
More...
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
Description: Going strong for over 20 years, Dawn and Jennifer bring together their most popular sketches and characters for the final time.
Trains: Tube: Covent Garden 
Phone: 0844412 2955
Website: www.reallyuseful.com/theatres
Dawn French with Jennifer Saunders at the party after their show in Drury Lane
Lenny Henry with Jennifer Saunders's husband, comedian Ade Edmonson
So now the end really is nearing and they really are facing the final curtain. After 30 years together, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are knocking the double act on the head before it gets too undignified and are bowing out on a high with a mix of classic and new sketches.
The opening night of their West End run certainly had its absolutely fabulous moments, albeit alongside other quickly forgettable moments.
Bounding on in their high Simon Cowell trousers the duo started in style. Saunders combined glacial beauty with manic slapstick while French, her hair now more orange than chocolate, played the knowing fool.
The backchat flew during their mock-status games. Saunders got an ovation for mentioning AbFab, French trumped her with Vicar Of Dibley, only for Saunders to hit a bullseye: “Sorry — I’m not laughing at The Vicar Of Dibley. I never have and I’m not about to start now.”
After a wonderfully cheeky audience walkabout with a micro-camera, however, the momentum drifted. This was partially down to too much pre-recorded footage. A clip of Saunders doing Madonna was hilarious, but when Saunders repeated the moves onstage it lacked the same fall-about finesse. The set-up was crying out for a cameo from their victim. Likewise a Strictly Come Dancing routine needed the real Anton Du Beke to make the spoof sing.
Yet, whatever director Hamish McColl put in their interval cuppas it helped. A revival of the original AbFab skit with French as the studious Saffy to Saunders’s iconic Edina brought comedy history vividly to life. There were showstopping surprises and a swipe at Ricky Gervais, with French doing the David Brent dance, sarcastically muttering: “That is hilarious, apparently.” Revenge, no doubt, for Gervais joking about French’s weight.
There was depth too, as the twosome played boarding school teens, abandoned over Christmas by rich parents. French, 51, and Saunders, 50, still make marvellous adolescents. And perhaps that is the secret of their success.
They have always had a puerile streak, underlined in a cross-dressing encore as their lecherous fat old men that was as gloriously rude as anything by Little Britain.
One left noting that the duo laid the groundwork for umpteen other comedians, particularly other women.
Among the audience were Jo Brand and Catherine Tate. Without French & Saunders neither would have found it as easy to break into the mainstream.
Until 8 November (0844 579 0089, www.seetickets.com)
It may have been his wife’s decision to call a halt to one of the most successful double acts in British comedy, but comedian Lenny Henry has made it clear he would like to see her carry on.
Dawn French, Henry’s wife of 24 years, and her stage partner Jennifer Saunders announced their decision to end their successful comedy pairing, which has lasted 30 years, earlier this year.
But speaking at a party to mark the opening night of their last series of performances, Henry made it clear — albeit in typically humorous fashion — that he would like to see the pair carry on entertaining.
He said: “What is all this about them stopping? Who says they should stop? I have been in nearly every French and Saunders audience over the years and I don’t think they should stop.
“They got two standing ovations tonight and it was beautiful. I am so proud. I had already seen the show seven times, but tonight was really joyful.”
French said of the show at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane: “We were very nervous before the show — much more than normal. It felt like we were about to do a comedy exam, but the minute we were on stage it was fine.
“We have made the decision that it is the last show. The whole double act is an extension of our friendship, which still remains.
“We will be making each other laugh forever, but just not in front of an audience.”
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
[ 1 ] [ 2 ]
I saw the show twice, once in Manchester then the final night in London. I think they are the two most talented comediennes of our time, and there success will not be matched, no-ones even close. I also met them after, where they signed autographs, poor Jennifer was getting pushed all over, but looking increasingly beautiful. I loved the show and think the standing ovations were well deserved. They've entertained us for 30 years, well 24 for me, i hope they do continue to work together, for a long time to come. Long reign Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders!
- Kim, Leeds, Uk
I wish I could have gone to the show - unfortunately, a little too far away and couldn't get the time off work. I wish they would do just one more show - in Las Vegas!
Best Wishes to both.
- Robin Lewin, Las Vegas Nevada USA
We were a party of four on Tuesday all rather disappointed that the on screen heroes didn't really carry it off. Nothing particularly funny except the rather lewd old codgers at the end and the sex talk. Must be us 
Perhaps the screen goddesses needed the rest of the cast and in the end we thought that was it. The TV shows just SO absolutely fab that the live never made up to that standard, not helped perhaps by dreadful sound.
Since most of the rest of the audience thought the duo could do no wrong it must be us but reading other reviews seems not.
- Richard, London, UK
I did manage to make it over for the Friday 17th Oct. show, and they were AMAZING. As always. The show was hilarious start to finish, with some tremendous surprises thrown in...and they were so gracious at the stage door afterwards. Now that I've gotten to meet them both, life can only go downhill... But seriously, comedy GODS. I do hope they will reverse their decision one day and work together again. I love everything they've done separately, but together they are greatest.
- Coleen O'Hanley, East Weymouth, MA USA
I would have given nearly anything to fly over for that show. Unfortunately, I could not make it. I wish the two all the best in the future
- Chris Carmichael, Kansas, U.S.
