04 March 2024 , 07:27
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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 wallsPromised 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.