Paul Slade Smith couldn’t say no to Willy Wonka role in Sydney

When Paul Slade Smith got a message out of the blue last year asking if he’d be interested in heading to the other side of the world to play Willy Wonka, it was like opening a bar of chocolate and finding a golden ticket.

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When Paul Slade Smith got a message out of the blue last year asking if he’d be interested in heading to the other side of the world to play Willy Wonka, it was a moment akin to opening a bar of chocolate and discovering a golden ticket.

The American stage actor, who is fresh from appearing in the Broadway production of My Fair Lady, was shocked when he opened an email from Australian producers sounding him out about Roald Dahl’s iconic character made famous by Gene Wilder in the 1971 movie.

Paul Slade Smith will be playing Willy Wonka in the upcoming Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical in Sydney. Picture: Dylan Robinson

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“I read the email on the train and I texted my wife and we both sort of shared a ‘holy shit’ moment,” he said.

“I turned to my friend and said ‘I couldn’t say no to Willy Wonka in Sydney, Australia could I?’ and he just replied ‘No. No one could say no to that’.”

Slade Smith played Wonka on Broadway as the understudy to Christian Borle, but he is relatively unknown to Australian audiences and is looking forward to introducing himself when he dons the colourful top hat and tails on January 5.

The role was first made famous in 1971 by Gene Wilder. Picture: Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Johnny Depp played the role in the second adaptation of the movie in 2005.

“I prefer the sneaking-in-the-back-door version of introducing myself,” he said.

Although this is Slade Smith’s first visit Down Under, he has worked with Australian actors such as Anthony Warlow and Charlie co-star Tony Sheldon in the US.

He was also got a taste of what Australian theatre had to offer when he was mesmerised by Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving and Richard Roxburgh in Washington a few years ago.

Smith previously played Wonka on Broadway. Picture: Dylan Robinson

“The finest theatre I have ever seen was the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Uncle Vanya which I saw at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC,” he said.

“That production absolutely blew me away and I thought ‘this is what theatre is supposed to be’ — there was no moment that wasn’t absolutely perfect.”

Slade Smith will be joined on the Capitol Theatre stage by Sheldon, who plays Grandpa Joe, and Lucy Maunder as Charlie’s mum Mrs Bucket.

Four young actors — Oliver Alkhair, Tommy Blair, Xion Jarvis and Ryan Yeates will share the role of Charlie.