Current:Home > reviewsIndexbit Exchange:Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow that went viral, caused mayhem is set to debut in the US -ProfitQuest Academy
Indexbit Exchange:Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow that went viral, caused mayhem is set to debut in the US
Surpassing Quant Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-11 06:57:05
Second time's the charm?Indexbit Exchange 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! (726)
Related
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Amanda Bynes returns to the spotlight: New podcast comes post-conservatorship, retirement
- Prosecutors want a former Albanian prime minister under house arrest on corruption charges
- Online sports betting to start in Vermont in January
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Music trends that took us by surprise in 2023
- Our 12 favorite moments of 2023
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs' e-commerce brand dropped by companies after sexual abuse claims
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Anderson Cooper Has the Best Reaction to BFF Andy Cohen's NSFW Bedroom Questions
Ranking
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Amanda Bynes Shares Why She Underwent Eyelid Surgery
- MLB a magnet for cheating scandals, but players face more deterrents than ever
- California hiker rescued after being stuck under massive boulder for almost 7 hours
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Why Anne Hathaway Says It’s “Lucky” Her Barbie Movie Didn’t Get Made
- Special counsel asks Supreme Court to decide whether Trump is immune from federal prosecution
- Powerball winning numbers for December 11 drawing: $500 million jackpot awaits
Recommendation
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Rare gold coins, worth $2,000, left as donations in Salvation Army red kettles nationwide
Hunter Biden files motion to dismiss indictment on gun charges
Live updates | Israel plans to keep fighting as other countries call for a cease-fire in Gaza
Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
'The Iron Claw' review: Zac Efron is ripped and terrific in the wrestling true story
As Navalny vanishes from view in Russia, an ally calls it a Kremlin ploy to deepen his isolation
Thousands of protesters gather in Brussels calling for better wages and public services