The chaotic and campy event in LA takes the disastrous Glasgow Willy Wonka event to new heights of absurdity, attracting an adult crowd for a night of bizarre performances and over-the-top fun.
Standing in front of a graffiti-covered warehouse in LA’s Arts District, I had no idea what to expect from the Willy Wonka Experience, a chaotic remake of Glasgow’s infamous event that became an internet meme. What had originally been a disastrous children’s experience was transformed into a meta and campy performance art show aimed at adults, embracing the absurdity of the original.
The evening kicked off with a parody of Grandpa Joe, who was wheeled out on a shopping trolley while wielding a candle and shouting improvised lines. This absurd character set the tone for the rest of the event, which included Mr Wonka himself, barely distinguishable from others except for his top hat. The audience, consisting mainly of adults, laughed along, ready for the absurdity ahead.
Inside, we encountered a blue-haired Oompa Loompa running a makeshift lab, complete with laboratory tubes and an oversized bong he referred to as Mr Wonka’s “personal meditation device.” The Oompa Loompa offered attendees THC-infused cotton candy, adding to the event’s bizarre atmosphere. Drinks like passionfruit mezcal, Modelos, and Thai iced teas with whipped cream further enhanced the experience, creating a surreal atmosphere where candy, alcohol, and weirdness collided.
Compared to the sparse, low-budget sets from the Glasgow event, this LA version embraced creativity with new elements like a balloon art installation by local artist Molly Balloons. The technicolour design seemed more suited for a Museum of Ice Cream pop-up than a Willy Wonka event, but it provided a perfect backdrop for photos.
Some characters closely resembled the original, such as the AI-generated “Unknown,” who wore a mask and carried a mirror, while another new character named Meaghan warned attendees against looking at or speaking about him. Later in the night, comedy duo “Clowns of Colour” appeared, protesting for “reparations” for the Oompa Loompas, rubbing chocolate on each other’s faces before performing a dance routine to Michael Jackson.
The quirky cast also included “Swoly Wonka,” a bodyguard for Mr Wonka, played by fitness influencer Thomas Ashman. He spent the night flexing his muscles and stealing Wonka’s hat, adding to the absurdity of the event.
Attendees had various motivations for coming – some were in it for the meme, others discovered it through TikTok. Mandy, an attendee, said, “I would’ve paid anything to be here.” Others, like Jesse and Tori, initially sceptical, found themselves won over by the event’s escalating weirdness.
The night blended performances, including stand-up comedy, music, and DJ sets, all contributing to the chaotic yet hilarious vibe. Kirsty Paterson, the original “sad Oompa Loompa” from the Glasgow event, was flown out to Los Angeles for the event. She reflected on how her role had turned her into a meme, but expressed how the LA event felt like a complete transformation from the disaster she had experienced in Glasgow.
Event organisers, House of Illuminati LA, wanted to make the absurdity of the original event into something positive. The LA experience was sold as exactly what it was—a night of unpredictability and humour—turning the infamous Glasgow event into a joke that was embraced by those attending.
The event was a bizarre mix of bad design, tongue-in-cheek performances, and outlandish creativity. As guests sipped cocktails and laughed at the absurdity around them, it became clear that the event was less about mimicking the original and more about celebrating its failure, transforming it into something entirely new. Guests enjoyed dressing up as characters from the story, reveling in the silliness of the night, and fully immersing themselves in the chaos of the Willy Wonka Experience.
