US version of Glasgow's Willy Wonka Experience dubbed 'so much fun'

Willy Wonka experience -Kirsty Paterson
Willy Wonka experience -Kirsty Paterson -Credit:Kirsty Paterson


Americans have given the thumbs up to a tongue-in-cheek stateside version of the Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience.

Organiser House of Illuminati US recreated the original event, which was so bad it left children in tears and saw the police called in.

Almost 200 people turned up to a warehouse to "enjoy the event in downtown Los Angeles - which attempted to recreate the bizarre layout put together in Glasgow.

One visitor said: “The thing in Glasgow was so iconic and now it has come here to LA. It’s so much fun coming here and experiencing such a fun internet happening.”

The event was based on Scots entrepreneur’s Billy Coull’s notorious production that saw children crying and a police presence due to angry and disappointed parents who had kicked off.

The event over the weekend of February 24 and 25 saw furious parents demanding a refund after they forked out £35 for the event at a Glasgow warehouse.

Willys chocolate experience LA  -Kirsty Paterson feature on the Lorraine Show this morning (Tuesday 30/4/24)
Willys chocolate experience LA -Kirsty Paterson feature on the Lorraine Show this morning (Tuesday 30/4/24) Screen Shots -Credit:Kirsty Paterson

Kirsty Paterson, who played an Oompa Loompa in the Glasgow version, was flown out to appear as a guest of honour.

Scenes from the disastrous event became viral with news of the Willy Wonka experience reaching a global audience. Footage taken from inside the Willy Wonka experience included pictures of a dazed Oompa Loompa, played by Kirsty and a terrifying villain called the Unknown who popped out from behind a mirror to scare children.

The Stateside copy-event saw Kirsty return to her role as the Oompa Loompa with pictures from the LA rerun showing punters queue up to get selfies with the original unsung hero.

Willys chocolate experience LA  -Kirsty Paterson feature on the Lorraine Show this morning
Willys chocolate experience LA -Kirsty Paterson feature on the Lorraine Show this morning (Tuesday 30/4/24) Screen Shots -Credit:Kirsty Paterson

It comes as Kirsty's character is set to be taken to the Broadway stage with Knives Out star Riki Lindhome.

The Hollywood actress has penned some of her own songs for the musical, which will open in New York next year.

Lindhome, who starred opposite Daniel Craig in the 2019 whodunnit will.

Speaking about the event Kirsty said: "They wanted it to be exclusive, like an undiscovered rave, which I found really weird. They wanted to keep things underground and the organisers didn’t want to be named.”

“I was performing with lots of other acts and I took part in a Q&A. DJs were playing as well. The audience seemed to have a positive experience though it was just as bad as the Glasgow event.

“Corners of the room looked just as awful but the balloons were good and for me it was a better experience overall.

“The Glasgow experience was a really negative time for me and ended up with police cars outside but here in Los Angeles people danced and smiled."

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