Features

What's in my dressing room? – Jonathan Slinger

We go backstage with ”Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” star Jonathan Slinger

Jonathan Slinger as Willy Wonka
Jonathan Slinger as Willy Wonka
© Matt Crockett

Jonathan Slinger is currently starring as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. His many stage credits include title roles in Hamlet, Macbeth, Richard II and Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company), Power (National Theatre), Uncle Vanya (Young Vic) and Urinetown (Apollo).

We caught up with him to find out which five items he couldn't live without.


The Disco Ball

JS: I have occasional parties in this room which are always really good fun and a disco ball is part of that. There's this one, a mini one and I also have ones that click into the lightbulbs and spin around too.

The Dancing Queen

JS: I met Camilla Parker Bowles who was visiting the Wondercrump exhibition for the Roald Dahl 100 celebrations and this was a present to thank me for my involvement in that. It gives me a lot of pleasure knowing that I've got Queenie dancing in my room at all hours!

Gavin and Natalie

JS: This is Gavin, my dresser, and Natalie, who does my make-up. They follow me around and take care of me all the time and I couldn't live without them.

The Macbook and Speakers

JS: I have music on the whole time that I'm getting ready for the show, I'm into house and techno so that's usually what gets played.

The Gold Star Board

JS: On the board is myself, Gavin and Natalie and we get gold stars either for something good that we've done – for instance Gavin had to sew my sleeve in a minute flat the other day – or, increasingly, for dares.


Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is currently booking until 7 January 2017 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.