Dawn French's Bottom

Dawn French can be seen playing Bottom in a new production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' on the London stage.

The adaptation, directed by Francis Matthews, follows the original text of the Shakespeare comedy, but French puts her own jolly spin on the part.

Fellow stars include Jemma Redgrave as Titania, the ruler in a magical forest, who falls for Bottom.

Attending the show at the West End's Albery Theatre was Jennifer Saunders who quipped, "I'm very proud of Dawn's bottom. I always have been." She added: "I was crying with laughter. The whole cast is wonderful, and it is so funny."

The show's opening night, 16 March, was also Red Nose Day. French travelled from the theatre to appear on 'Big Red Nose Night' on BBC1. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' runs until 12 May.