Families who attended a Willy Wonka-inspired event in Glasgow, Scotland, were promised an enchanting experience with “optical marvels” and “extraordinary props” for a £35 ($44) ticket. However, upon arrival, they were disappointed to find a sparsely decorated warehouse offering only a quarter cup of lemonade — or limeade when supplies ran out.
The situation escalated to the point where the police were called, leading to the event’s cancellation, as confirmed by Police Scotland to CNN. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with angry attendees and event organizers in distress.
One of the hired actors, Paul Connell, described the pandemonium, stating that control of the situation had been completely lost, with people walking all over the set.
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Organizers House of Illuminati issued apologies on Facebook, acknowledging the stress and frustration experienced by attendees and announcing that they would not be holding any future events.
The event had been promoted extensively on an extravagant website, promising an “Enchanted Garden,” “Imagination Lab,” and “Twilight Tunnel,” but fell far short of expectations. Connell, provided with a script promising special effects, found the warehouse nearly empty upon arrival.
Attendees, like Jack Proctor and his family, expressed disappointment, describing the experience as even worse than anticipated. They encountered a makeshift “Factory” gate and minimal attractions, such as two Oompa Loompas handing out sparse amounts of candy.
Videos posted on social media captured children’s reactions, with many appearing horrified by the underwhelming spectacle. Attendees shared their experiences on a Facebook group, with some recounting meager offerings of candy and beverages.
Despite the efforts of actors like Connell to salvage the experience, they were hindered by instructions to move attendees through quickly. Attempts to reach House of Illuminati for comment were unsuccessful, as emails bounced back.