Willy Wonka Experience creepy silver mask character unveiled as 16-year-old girl

04 March 2024 , 07:27

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The Willy Wonka-inspired event that police were called to in Glasgow (Image: Jenny Fogarty / SWNS)

A teenager who acted in the disastrous Willy Wonka Experience says it was "life changing".

Schoolgirl Felicia Dawkins, 16, played the part of a villain called The Unknown in the shambolic Glasgow show which has made headlines around the world. Hundreds of people paid up to £35 a ticket for the event that proved to be massive let-down after visitors said it was "little more than an abandoned, empty warehouse".

Glasgow girl Felicia was cast as Willy McDuff – seemingly inspired by Willy Wonka – before opting for The Unknown, an evil chocolate maker who lives in the walls. A video of the villain, dressed in a silver mask and black cloak, emerging from behind a mirror to fearful children, took off on social media last week.

Felicia, 16, told the Daily Record of her involvement in the show: "At first I was really embarrassed about it, but it was so ridiculous it was actually funny. It's become viral, it's genuinely life-changing and I'm really happy I did it."

Schoolgirl Felicia Dawkins, 16 (Daily Record)

The Unknown is an evil character who lives in the walls

Promised a magical experience for their children, parents walked into the sparsely decorated hall with puzzled performers and a few props. Ticket holders were offered a half-cup of lemonade and a small ration of jelly beans. Fuming parents called police and the event was cancelled within hours.

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It was Felicia's first acting job but alarm bells were ringing from the start. She said: "There weren't any rehearsals. I got there early to practise but it hadn't been set up. I was just sitting behind the mirror trying to act creepy because that was the only direction I was given. I think most people didn't really know what I was there for – which was the same for me."

Billy Coull, 35, boss of event organiser House of Illuminati, said he was "truly sorry" for the "disappointment and ­frustration" and promised to refund all 850 tickets sold.

Jackie Grant