Police called in to handle situation at ‘Willy Wonka Experience’ as angry customers demand refund
Over the weekend in Glasgow, UK, authorities were called to address concerns from families seeking refunds due to their children reportedly experiencing distress at a pop-up event.
Dubbed the “Willy Wonka Experience” by the organizers House of Illuminati, the event was advertised as an immersive adventure promising a journey filled with magnificent creations and enchanting surprises at every corner. Describing the anticipation, a 19-year-old attendee told BBC News Scotland, “It was basically advertised as this big massive Willy Wonka experience with optical illusions and big chocolate fountains and sweets.” However, upon arrival, attendees were disappointed to find themselves in an abandoned warehouse with little to offer.
Entry to the event required a payment of $40 per person, with the promotion featuring AI-generated artwork and extravagant promises. Attendees from various locations, including northern England and parts of Scotland, had high expectations for the fulfillment of the advertised wonders. Unfortunately, these hopes were dashed, leading to the early closure of the event on its opening day.
Expressing their dissatisfaction, attendees took to a Facebook group called “ House of Illuminati Scam“ to accuse the organizers of deception. Some shared humorous and distressing photos highlighting the event’s shortcomings, showcasing the genuine distress experienced by children. One attendee posted a picture of half-filled cups of lemonade intended for the children.
Paul Connell, the actor hired to portray the Wonka character, shared his experiences in a series of TikTok videos, detailing the disaster. Initially excited about the role, Mr. Connell recounted how he received a last-minute call offering him the part and a script reportedly generated by AI, containing nonsensical content. He expressed concerns about the unsettling themes aimed at children, including references to an evil chocolate maker called the “Unknown” who supposedly lurks within the walls. In one video, Mr. Connell said, “I feel for anyone who bought tickets to this event. Anyone who was expecting a magical chocolate experience, and got me in a top hat in a dirty warehouse in Glasgow.” He continued in a subsequent video, “We walked around this place and saw a health and safety nightmare for a start. We saw there were no special effects as promised.”
Despite initial optimism, Mr. Connell’s hopes were shattered during the dress rehearsal, revealing the stark reality of the event—a barren warehouse adorned with minimal decorations. The lack of essential props, such as a vacuum cleaner crucial for a significant scene, required improvisation. Mr. Connell mentioned, “I can’t improvise a vacuum cleaner.” Upon returning to the warehouse after a break, Mr. Connell noted that the situation began to escalate: “Rightfully so, people were furious. They were shouting. There were people filming things on their phone. There were things being broken. Things had been stolen, apparently.” He was instructed by the organizers to hide.
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Amidst the chaos, Mr. Connell and his fellow actors decided to salvage the experience for attendees, emphasizing the importance of creating moments of magic in challenging circumstances. Reflecting on the effort, Mr. Connell mentioned how all actors gathered on the morning of the event and said, “It’s unlikely we’re going to get paid for this event, however, they’re going to put this event on with or without us, and children are going to be coming through. Let’s just stick around, let’s do our best to ensure that the children have some kind of experience.”
A post on the House of Illuminati Facebook page states, “The process of refunding your money has already begun as several people can confirm.”
