Someone recreated the Willy Wonka Glasgow event in Los Angeles – and Meth Lab Oompa Loompa was there

A spoof version of the famed Willy Wonka Glasgow event was created in Los Angeles, with the ‘meth Oompa Loompa’ from the viral disaster attraction.

The experience, which was advertised as an immersive event based on the recent Timothée Chalamet movie, Wonka, went viral when it appeared to be a disappointment to many ticket holders.

At £35 a ticket, attendees were promised audio and visual effects, chocolate fountains and a totally interactive experience, but were instead presented with low-budget props, limited refreshments and an AI-generated script, all carried out in an abandoned warehouse.

The complaints made resulted in the event being closed on the same day it opened,

The event was organised by a collective of local artists unaffiliated with those behind the original event and purposely replicated it, hosting it in a worn-down warehouse with an underwhelming number of props and even AI-generated art. Guests were even offered two jelly beans in a nod to the original event.

Beyond that, attendees got to enjoy THC-infused candyfloss, Oompa Loompa-themed cocktails and some adult on-stage performances. It also featured food vendors, musicians and actors from around Los Angeles, as well as a four-seat cinema trailer in which attendees could screen silent films. The proceeds were donated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The actor Kirsty Paterson, who became part of a viral meme when a photo of her playing an Oompa Loompa circulated on social media, appeared at the event. She participated in an audience Q&A and a skit and dance number by two chocolate-covered Oompa Loompas

“The opportunities I’m getting from this are life-changing outside Oompa Loompa and the costume,” Paterson said. “I mean, I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.”

She has also been taking requests for personalised video and audio messages on Cameo.

Paterson isn’t the only actor who has benefitted from the experience. A silver-faced, wigged character called The Unknown was a key part of the event, and the 16-year-old actor Felicia who portrayed it was hired to perform at the London Dungeon.

The post Someone recreated the Willy Wonka Glasgow event in Los Angeles – and Meth Lab Oompa Loompa was there appeared first on NME.