Willy Wonka Experience's The Unknown dazzles at huge new job at London Dungeons

07 April 2024 , 10:51

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Felicia Dawkins has ditched the silver mask for 19th century attire (Image: Merlin Entertainments)

An aspiring actor who played the role of The Unknown at the disastrous Willy Wonka Experience in February is dazzling punters at London Dungeons - at just 16.

Felicia Dawkins went viral for playing the silver character at the pitiful event in Glasgow as footage emerged online of the teen in a bizarre mask, scaring children. Her role, an evil rival chocolate maker, was part of the attraction's odd twist on the Roald Dahl classic.

Now, Felicia has donned 19th century gear after London Dungeons recruited her - to help scare tourists at its haunted attraction along the capital's South Bank. She's learned the tricks of the trade from the centre's more experienced actors.

"Training and performing with the London Dungeon actors is honestly a dream come true. The costumes and make-up are next level, and to have a script that isn’t AI-generated is something new for me," the teenager said. Her first live performance at the attraction will take place today but she's shone in her rehearsals, her bosses say.

Felicia, from Glasgow, continued: "I can’t wait to star in the shows and scare the pants off the guests, I hope they will be well and truly spooked. I’ve always been a fan of the Dungeons so this feels like a full circle moment working in London – who knew that strange experience would lead me here."

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Felicia is portraying various roles at London Dungeons (Merlin Entertainments)

Performers who had roles in the botched gig in Scotland shared their misery in February. One performer, though, dodged "a disaster" after he spotted three warning signs in the Willy Wonka Experience's recruitment process. Tom Whiston, who is a clown and a comedian, told The Mirror alarms bells rang as soon as he saw the event's website, where he "spotted something fishy".

Others, including Felicia, weren't so fortunate but London Dungeons says the teen has battled to overcome adversity and "is a natural in the art of the scare". She will guest star from today as the Nun, the Jester, and the Tower Warden.

A spokesman for the attraction said: "Throughout her training, Felicia has proved she is a natural in the art of the scare. She’s transitioned seamlessly from hopping out from behind mirrors to embodying the horribly scary historical figures we bring to life. Those who come along are in for a shock this Easter holiday."

Bradley Jolly