A theatrical performance held at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro over the weekend is causing uproar among attendees, who have dubbed it the “Willy Wonka Experience 2.0”. Many disgruntled families walked out during the show, demanding refunds and criticizing it as subpar compared to school productions.
The production company, World’s Biggest Productions, had promised a new and spectacular Cirque-styled rendition of the classic tale of Frank L. Baum. However, parents who attended the show described it as inappropriate, overpriced, and falsely advertised, labeling it as the “Willy Wonka Experience 2.0”.
After the performance on December 27, numerous complaints flooded in, leading to the creation of a Facebook group titled ‘The Woeful Wicked Wizard of Oz – A Not-So Cirque Spectacular’, attracting over 1,200 members. Despite the backlash, a second performance took place on December 28 at the Hydro.
Attendees voiced their disappointment with the show, with one mother, Carol-Ann Henderson, calling it a “shambles” and criticizing the misleading advertising. Another attendee expressed dismay at the poor quality of the performance and production, highlighting issues with sound, props, and storyline coherence.
The production’s defense against the criticism cited the positive reception in Blackpool and explained that the show’s title clearly indicated the incorporation of circus elements in a pantomime style. They also emphasized the affordability of their tickets compared to Cirque de Soleil, stating that some jokes in the show followed traditional pantomime humor.
World’s Biggest Productions and the Scottish Event Campus, owners of OVO Hydro, have been approached for comments regarding the controversy surrounding the show.