Current:Home > InvestWilly Wonka experience in Glasgow that went viral, caused mayhem is set to debut in the US -Streamline Finance
Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow that went viral, caused mayhem is set to debut in the US
View
Date:2025-04-16 17:42:05
Second time's the charm? Remember the Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow, Scotland that went viral earlier this year, with its sad Oompa Loompa becoming a meme? It's making a comeback.
Despite the backlash and mockery, the now-infamous event is returning, and this time in Los Angeles, California, according to an event page that popped up on Eventbrite.
"Yes, this is a real event," reads the first thing on the event page, set up by the House of Illuminati LA.
"Get ready to step into a realm of pure imagination as the highly acclaimed 'Willy’s Chocolate Experience LA' makes its debut in the United States, courtesy of House of Illuminati LA," the event description reads. "Following its groundbreaking success in Glasgow, this fantastical event promises an immersive journey into the whimsical world of 'Willy' Wonka."
'Fiasco':Willy Wonka experience in Scotland creates sour taste for ticket buyers
Features of previous event in Glasgow to be recreated
The "sad" Oompa Loompa, Kirsty Paterson, who instantly became a meme, will also be participating in the event on April 28 with an "exclusive absurdist Q&A and fan photo opportunity," according to the organizers.
Other features of the Glasgow event, such as the setting, will also be replicated with the event planned to be held in "a nondescript warehouse nestled in the heart of downtown Los Angeles." The exact location has not been specified.
Tickets are priced at $44 and are non-refundable. However, the proceeds of the event will be donated to an unnamed mental health charity, say the organizers.
In another nod to the previous event, attendees will get 2 complimentary jellybeans "to kickstart the sweetness".
Meanwhile, other "enchanting attractions" include local music and comedy performances, an "immersive" silent film screening complemented by live music and local vendors selling sweet treat. The organizers have also teased the possibility of "renowned comedians" to be attending the event, "promising an evening filled with laughter and unexpected twists."
The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on April 28 for photobooth and mingling, followed by the Q&A session with Paterson at 6:30 p.m. Around 9 p.m., the event will transition into "Willy's Rave" with a D.J., who will be "keeping the energy going until 4 a.m.," the next morning.
"Prepare to be transported to a realm where imagination knows no bounds and every moment is infused with wonder," the event page adds.
Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow was dubbed a 'fiasco'
In February, earlier this year, a Willy Wonka-themed event in Scotland went viral after ticket-buyers went to an event marketed as a place "where dreams come to life," only to find a sparsely decorated warehouse with a pair of women with green wigs – apparently the Oompa Loompas – and an actor portraying Willy Wonka, who looked more like an Oompa Loompa than Wonka.
Attendees, many of whom were children, were enraged and upset with the organizers, a U.K. event company called House of Illuminati, demanding a refund. The police even showed up at the event to calm the irate crowd and shut down the event, that had promised chocolate fountains, performances by Oompa Loompas and "a celebration of chocolate in all its delightful forms."
One of the event attendees, Stuart Sinclair, who attended the event with his children said called the event "an absolute con," saying that his kids only received "two jelly babies and a quarter of a can of bars limeade," and that the whole experience took only 2 minutes. One of actor's, who participated in the event, called it a "fiasco" and said that he and the other actors "were furious."
"We’d been conned, as well, and it did turn quite scary at one point because people were angry," he said.
The company organizing the event later apologized for the event, releasing a statement that read: "Unfortunately, last minute we were let down in many areas of our event and tried our best to continue on and push through and now realize we probably should have cancelled first thing this morning instead."
Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (28)
Related
- Residents in Alaska capital clean up swamped homes after an ice dam burst and unleashed a flood
- Watch Live: Trial of Jennifer Crumbley, mother of Oxford High School shooter, gets underway
- Brittany Mahomes Details “Scariest Experience” of Baby Bronze’s Hospitalization
- North Macedonia’s government resigns ahead of general elections
- The 'Rebel Ridge' trailer is here: Get an exclusive first look at Netflix movie
- Inside Pregnant Giannina Gibelli and Blake Horstmann's Tropical Babymoon Getaway
- The Excerpt podcast: States can't figure out how to execute inmates
- Russia’s top diplomat accuses US, South Korea and Japan of preparing for war with North Korea
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- New York Philharmonic set to play excerpts from 'Maestro' with Bradley Cooper appearance
Ranking
- Kansas City Chiefs CEO's Daughter Ava Hunt Hospitalized After Falling Down a Mountain
- Fans raise $260,000 for cat adoption charity in honor of Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass, following missed field goal
- Crystal Hefner says she felt trapped in marriage to late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner
- Global warming was primary cause of unprecedented Amazon drought, study finds
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Michael Mann’s Defamation Case Against Deniers Finally Reaches Trial
- Italy’s premier slams Stellantis over reduced Italian footprint since Peugeot-FiatChrysler tie-up
- Washington and Baghdad plan to hold talks soon to end presence of US-led coalition in Iraq
Recommendation
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
In-N-Out to close Oakland, California restaurant due to wave of car break-ins, armed robberies
Who is Gracie Abrams? Get to know the Grammy best new artist nominee's heartbreaking hits.
In 'Masters of the Air,' Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan and cast formed real friendships
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
Nokia sales and profit drop as economic challenges lead to cutback on 5G investment
Billy Idol talks upcoming pre-Super Bowl show, recent Hoover Dam performance, working on a new album
'Zone of Interest': How the Oscar-nominated Holocaust drama depicts an 'ambient genocide'