Costume for Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, 25th June 2013 to 7th January 2017. Designed by Mark Thompson, made by Charles White Costumes and Pamela Woods Gloves

S.227:1-2019
Damson coloured single-breasted velvet tailcoat with cream calico lining, dark green satin revers, cuffs, 3 covered buttons, edging for the button holes, and 3 false pocket flaps. The back has a decorative velvet button placket with 2 dark green satin covered buttons. A scrap of white fabric with red spots in the breast pocket serves as an imitation handkerchief. A Charles White Costumes label is sewn inside at the centre neckline, inscribed with the names of the production: 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' the character: 'Willy Wonka', and the actor: 'Richard Dempsey'

S.227:2-2019
Checked rayon trousers in lime green, olive and dark green with black cotton lining and green velvet trim on outer leg seams. The fly opening is fastened with 2 metal clips at the waistline and 5 concealed black buttons, while 4 further black buttons are inside the trouser front and 2 at the centre back of the dagged waistline. A Charles White Costumes label is sewn inside on the right-hand side, inscribed with the names of the production: A Charles White Costumes label is sewn inside at the centre neckline, inscribed with the names of the production: 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' the character: 'Willy Wonka', and the actor: 'Richard Dempsey'

S.227:3-2019
Coral patterned satin waistcoat with beige cotton back and striped lining. The 2 false pocket flaps and the collar are trimmed with dark coral petersham braid patterned with tiny dark and light blue spots. The waistcoat is fastened with 8 imitation pale amethyst buttons at the front and an adjustable half-belt at the back with a metal buckle marked: 'Solide'. A Charles White Costumes label is sewn inside at the centre neckline, inscribed with the names of the production: 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', the character: 'u/s [understudy] Wonka', and the actor: 'Chris Grahamson'

S.227:4-2019
White cotton shirt with red spotted pattern and white collar and cuffs. It is fastened down the front with 7 pearl buttons, and each cuff has 4 button holes for turning the cuffs back and fastening with cufflinks. A Charles White Costumes label is sewn inside at the centre neckline, inscribed in blurred lettering with the name of the actor: 'Chris Grahamson' and the character: 'Willy Wonka'

S.227:5-2019
Grey velour right-hand glove featuring raised decorative stitching on the back. A Pamela Woods Theatrical Glovemaker label inside the gloves is inscribed with the size, 8¾, the name of the production: 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', and the 'artiste': 'Alex Jennings'

S.227:6-2019
Grey velour left-hand glove featuring raised decorative stitching on the back. A Pamela Woods Theatrical Glovemaker label inside the gloves is inscribed with the size, 8¾, the name of the production: 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', and the 'artiste': 'Alex Jennings'

S.227:7-2019
Offcut of cream cotton fabric with red spots folded and inserted into the jacket breast pocket as a kerchief

Given by Warner Bros, Neal Street Productions and Playful Productions

This costume was given to the museum by Playful Productions who produced the show. It consists of various parts of the costume worn by different actors who played Wonka during its run. It came straight from the offices of the production company after the run had finished and lacked the hat, tie, tie pin, cane and spats.

The costume was designed by Mark Thompson. Playful Productions commissioned Charles White Costumes to make the jacket, trousers, waistcoat, and shirt, and Pamela Woods Gloves for the gloves. Each item was remade for new actors playing or understudying the character Willy Wonka

Costume designed by Mark Thompson for Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,Theatre Royal Drury Lane, 25th June 2013 to 7th January 2017. This costume for the magical chocolate factory owner Willy Wonka consists of items worn by various actors playing and understudying the role at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Directed by Sam Mendes with costume and set designs by Mark Thompson, the musical was based on Roald Dahl's original children's book published in 1964. Douglas Hodge played Wonka originally, with Alex Jennings who wore the trousers and gloves, replacing him on 19th May 2014. Richard Dempsey, the wearer of the jacket, joined the cast at the same date playing Mr. Bucket and understudying Alex Jennings. Chris Grahamson, for whom the waistcoat and shirt were made, joined the cast on 25th April 1916, replacing Dempsey as Mr. Bucket and understudying Wonka.

Mark Thompson's design for Wonka was based on Roald Dahl's description of the character in Chapter 14 of his book: 'He had a black top hat on his head. He wore a tail-coat made of beautiful plum-coloured velvet. His trousers were bottle green. His gloves were pearly grey. And in one hand he carried a fine gold-topped cane'. To this description Thompson added a red and white spotted shirt, an orange waistcoat, a blue striped tie, and grey spats with individually coloured buttons. This colourful and quirky outfit emphasised Wonka's eccentric character and made his appearance the centre of attention. Mark Thompson won the Olivier Award for the Best Costume Designs for this production in 2014, and his designs were used for the Broadway production that opened at New York's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on 28th March 2017.

S.227:1 to 7-2019