New Cast Announced For Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Dury Lane

Now approaching its second anniversary, producers of the hit musical Charlie And The Chocolate Factory have announced the cast that will perform in the show into its third year. It was previously announced that Jonathan Slinger will be taking on the role of Willy Wonka. Alongside Jonathan will be Kraig Thornber (Grandpa George), Lara Denning (Mrs Bucket) and Mark Oxtoby (Jerry), among other new names. Original company members Ross Dawes and Derek Hagen will take over the roles of Mr Salt and Mr Bucket respectively. An unheard of two-thirds of the current cast will continue performing in Wonka’s factory. The continuing cast includes Roni Page, Myra Sands, Ross Dawes, Jasna Ivir, Paul J. Medford, Kate Graham Derek Hagen and Joe Allen, who have all been with the show since it opened in Spring 2013. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory continues to be one of the West End’s most popular stage … Read more

Jonathan Slinger Named As New Willy Wonka

Jonathan Slinger takes over the role of Willy Wonka from May 4 in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory at London's Drury Lane Theatre

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 … Read more

Jenna Russell and Jonathan Slinger headline Apollo transfer for Urinetown

Jenna Russell

It was announced today that Jenna Russell will return to the role of Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown when it transfers to The Apollo Theatre this September. Richard Fleeshman, however will not be returning to the show. In postings to Twitter, Richard cited “other commitments” as his reason for not returning but wished the production well. Other cast members from the St James’ production returning will return, including RSC actor Jonathan Slinger who plays Officer Lockstock and Eastenders‘ Marc Elliott who plays Mr McQueen. Others cast members resuming their roles from the run at  The St James Theatre include Karis Jack (Little Sally), Cory English (Old Man Strong/Hot Blades Harry),  Jeff Nicholson (Tiny Tom/ Dr. Billeaux), Katie Bernstein (Little Becky Two Shoes/Mrs. Millennium), Madeleine Harland (Soupy Sue), Rosanna Hyland (Hope Cladwell), Julie Jupp (Old Woman/ Josephine Strong), Aaron Lee Lambert (Billy Boy Bill/ UGC Executive), Mark Meadows (Senator Fipp), Joel Montague … Read more