Jonathan Slinger Tapped to Play Willy Wonka in West End's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Just the golden ticket! Jonathan Slinger will play Willy Wonka in the West End’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He will begin performances on May 4, taking over from Alex Jennings at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Directed by Sam Mendes, the tuner features a book by David Greig and music and lyrics by Tony winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Slinger’s extensive stage credits include Hamlet, Macbeth, Richard II, Richard III, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, The Comedy of Errors, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Power, The Duchess of Malfi, The Coast of Utopia, Yes, Prime Minister, Uncle Vanya and Urinetown.

Based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory follows the adventures of young Charlie Bucket as he and four other children win golden tickets to visit the strange and eccentric world of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory. The book was first adapted to the big screen in 1971 under the title Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder. In 2005, Tim Burton directed a remake using the novel's original title, with Johnny Depp playing Wonka.

The West End production officially opened on July 25, 2013, starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka.