Musical Parody "Willy's Candy Spectacular" Set to Debut at Edinburgh Fringe
A musical parody inspired by the controversial Willy’s Chocolate Experience in Glasgow will premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe. The Glasgow event, which led to police involvement due to dissatisfied attendees, became infamous online after images of a stark warehouse with actors dressed as Oompa Loompas surfaced.
Titled "Willy’s Candy Spectacular: A Musical Parody," the show is produced by Richard Kraft from the US and will run at the Pleasance King Dome from August 9 to August 26. The rapid development process for the musical, usually spanning years, has been condensed into a few months.
Notable tracks have already been released, including an opening number performed by John Stamos, described as a "post-apocalyptic opening that traces civilisation’s downfall to the Glasgow event." Other songs feature Kirsty Paterson, who gained viral fame after her portrayal of an Oompa Loompa at the original event.
The show, emphasized as a parody, is not affiliated with the rights holders of Roald Dahl’s "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" nor the original event's organisers, House of Illuminati. The Glasgow incident, widely shared and even mentioned in the House of Commons, provides the backdrop for this theatrical satire.
The musical's creators, Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, expressed enthusiasm for the project’s epic scope, linking it comically to the infamous Glasgow experience.