'Wonka' Disaster: Kids Weep, Parents Call Police

It was supposed to be magical. Instead, it became one of the most talked-about event disasters of the year. Kids left in tears. Parents demanded refunds. And Glasgow, Scotland, found itself at the center of a viral fiasco that inspired both outrage and a stage musical.

A Promised Fantasy Turns Sour

On Feb. 24, families in Glasgow eagerly arrived at a warehouse in the Whiteinch industrial area, tickets in hand for "Willy's Chocolate Experience." Promoted as an immersive journey into a chocolate wonderland, the event promised a live reenactment inspired by the "Wonka" film starring Timothée Chalamet — complete with giant candy props, interactive Oompa Loompas, and chocolate at every turn.

But instead of a chocolatey paradise, attendees were met with a nearly empty warehouse. There were no chocolate fountains. No dazzling effects. Just a few plastic props, a small bouncy castle, and backdrops pinned to the walls. Children were handed a quarter cup of lemonade and a few jelly beans before being shuffled out.

Behind the Curtain: Who Was Responsible?

The event was produced by a company called House of Illuminati, which described itself as a purveyor of "extraordinary events and immersive experiences," according to PEOPLE.

Its founder, Billy Coull, later took full responsibility, posting an apology on the company's Facebook page and admitting that the decisions behind the event were "solely" his own, according to The Times.

Coull had previously led other ventures, including a charity called the Gowanbank Hub, which closed following financial difficulties. He also founded a business named Empowerity, which claimed on its website to "help people live a phenomenal life by providing the tools, knowledge and information that can enable even average Joe start and grow a widely profitable businesses," according to The Times.

The Role of AI and the Actors Caught in the Middle

Actor Paul Connell, who portrayed Wonka, said on the "Today" show that he received a 15-page "AI-generated gibberish" script and was later told to improvise once he arrived at the empty venue, according to PEOPLE.

Kirsty Paterson, the Oompa Loompa whose image became a viral meme, said she felt overwhelmed and anxious. "People forget that was done without my consent," she told the BBC, referring to how her image was shared widely online without permission.

Police Called, Refunds Promised

As angry parents voiced complaints and requested refunds — some having spent up to £35 per ticket — the organizers abruptly shut down the event, though not before police were called in to manage the chaos. House of Illuminati issued a statement apologizing for the "stressful and frustrating day" and committed to issuing refunds within 10 days, according to the Guardian.

The Viral Fallout and Unlikely Revival

The backlash online was swift and global. Photos of the underwhelming warehouse setup and distressed actors spread across social media, sparking headlines, memes, and even sympathy. But what started as a disaster has since inspired art.

Producer Richard Kraft, upon seeing the viral chaos unfold, was inspired to create a parody musical titled "Willy's Candy Spectacular," which is now set to debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Paterson will star as herself in the production, which also features original cast members from the 1971 "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" film.

Kraft said the fiasco reminded him of a story waiting to be told: "It looked like there was an Oompa Loompa in a meth lab. And I'm sitting there thinking: 'This sounds like a musical,'" he said, according to the BBC.

A Cautionary Tale With a Curious Aftertaste

While the fallout left many parents fuming and a business reputation in shambles, it also became a case study in what can go wrong when ambition meets poor execution — and what can happen when AI is used to replace experience and planning.

In the end, the Wonka experience in Glasgow may have started with jelly beans and dreams — but it ended in viral chaos, public apologies, and an unexpected musical encore.

References: Creator of Willy Wonka-Themed Experience Apologizes for Failed Event: 'It All Looked Good on Paper' | Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience Called a 'Farce' as Tickets Refunded | Willy Wonka Disaster Leads to Fringe Golden Ticket | Police, apologies and no wedding