Current:Home > ContactWilly Wonka experience in Glasgow that went viral, caused mayhem is set to debut in the US -Capitatum
Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow that went viral, caused mayhem is set to debut in the US
View
Date:2025-04-17 22:43:36
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! (687)
Related
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Trump hears at a Latino campaign event from someone who lived in the US illegally
- Why Aoki Lee Simmons Is Quitting Modeling After Following in Mom Kimora Lee Simmons' Footsteps
- Bears vs. Jaguars final score: Caleb Williams, Bears crush Jags in London
- Beware of giant spiders: Thousands of tarantulas to emerge in 3 states for mating season
- Aidan Hutchinson's gruesome injury casts dark cloud over Lions after major statement win
- Biden will survey Hurricane Milton damage in Florida, Harris attends church in North Carolina
- Head and hands found in Colorado freezer identified as girl missing since 2005
- Connie Chiume, South African 'Black Panther' actress, dies at 72
- As 'Pulp Fiction' turns 30, we rank all Quentin Tarantino movies
Ranking
- Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
- Florida power outage map: More than 400,000 still in the dark in Hurricane Milton aftermath
- Bears vs. Jaguars final score: Caleb Williams, Bears crush Jags in London
- Which candy is the most popular search in each state for Halloween? Think: Vegetable
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- This week's full hunter's moon is also a supermoon!
- WNBA Finals winners, losers: Series living up to hype, needs consistent officiating
- Another tough loss with Lincoln Riley has USC leading college football's Week 7 Misery Index
Recommendation
US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
Opinion: Yom Kippur reminds us life is fleeting. We must honor it with good living.
Murder trial of tech consultant in death of Cash App founder Bob Lee begins
How The Unkind Raven bookstore gave new life to a Tennessee house built in 1845
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
When is 'Tracker' back? Season 2 release date, cast, where to watch
Pennsylvania voters to decide key statewide races in fall election
Why Taylor Swift Fans Think Date Night With Travis Kelce Included Reputation Easter Eggs