Current:Home > ContactWilly Wonka experience in Glasgow that went viral, caused mayhem is set to debut in the US -Mastery Money Tools
Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow that went viral, caused mayhem is set to debut in the US
View
Date:2025-04-17 05:16:33
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! (8973)
Related
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- 2024 Olympics: Simone Biles Edges Out Rebeca Andrade for Gold in Women's Vault
- Megan Thee Stallion hits back at Kamala Harris rally performance critics: 'Fake Mad'
- US Homeland Security halts immigration permits from 4 countries amid concern about sponsorship fraud
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Top 13 Must-Have Finds Under $40 from Revolve’s Sale: Featuring Free People, Steve Madden, Jordan & More
- Justin Timberlake pleads not guilty to DWI after arrest, license suspended: Reports
- Who's golden? The final round of men's golf at Paris Olympics sets up to be fascinating
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- When does Katie Ledecky swim next? Details on her quest for gold in 800 freestyle final
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- 'This can't be right': Big sharks found in waters far from the open ocean
- 'We feel deep sadness': 20-year-old falls 400 feet to his death at Grand Canyon
- Kobe Bryant and Daughter Gianna Honored With Moving Girl Dad Statue
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Judge rejects replacing counsel for man charged with shooting 3 Palestinian college students
- Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov live updates: How to watch, predictions, analysis
- Are we in a recession? The Sahm rule explained
Recommendation
Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
What to watch: Workin' on our Night moves
Lakers unveil 'girl dad' statue of Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna
Top 13 Must-Have Finds Under $40 from Revolve’s Sale: Featuring Free People, Steve Madden, Jordan & More
The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
When does Simone Biles compete next? Olympics beam finals on tap
Christina Hall, Rachel Bilson and More Stars Who’ve Shared Their Co-Parenting Journeys
Taylor Swift combines two of her songs about colors in Warsaw