It was announced today that Jonathan Slinger will replace Alex Jennings in the role of Willy Wonka in the smash hit musical Charlie And The Chocolate Factory from Monday 4 May 2015. Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has quickly become one of the West End’s most popular and successful stage musicals. It has broken multiple records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over 1.25 million people since it opened in June 2013. It is currently taking bookings until 4 June 2016.

In a stage career spanning two decades, Jonathan Slinger has cemented his position amongst the foremost Shakespearean actors of the age. His extensive appearances with the Royal Shakespeare Company include the title roles in recent productions of Hamlet, Macbeth, Richard II and Richard III; Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Prospero in The Tempest and Dromio and Puck in The Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night's Dream respectively. His credits at The Globe include The Maid's Tragedy and The Winter’s Tale.

Jonathan Slinger first appeared on the National Theatre stage in Richard II 20 years ago with subsequent credits there including Power, The Duchess of Malfi and The Coast of Utopia. Other theatre includes Yes, Prime Minister at Chichester Festival Theatre, Uncle Vanya at the Young Vic and As You Like It at the Royal Exchange Theatre. Last year, Jonathan made his musical theatre debut playing the role of Officer Lockstock in Jamie Lloyd’s acclaimed production of Urinetown in London’s West End. BOOK TICKETS FOR CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY NOW