How was Willy’s Chocolate Experience? I’m Paul Connell – one of the actors who played Willy Wonka at the Glasgow Event. AMA!

29 comments

1. What was the organiser himself like? Given how absurdly committed to AI he was, I have a certain image of him already, and I’m curious whether I’m off the mark.

2. Paul, do you think one can separate art from the artist?

3. How was the interview process? Did you interview with the founder?

4. What minor TV appearance do you hope to get out of this? Naked Attraction? Come dine with me?

5. Did you get paid?

6. Can you tell us if the organisers are facing any prosecution for the absolute shitshow they put on? Because they should for such a blatant scam.

   Also, any thoughts on the people who were dumb enough to buy tickets after seeing a poster filled with AI-generated gibberish?

7. Can you get the sad Oompa Loompa to come here too? She seems nice. Did you two hang out?

8. Did she turn the oopma loompas against ya?

9. How did the woman dubbed “meth oompah loompah” feel about her unfortunate nickname?

10. I need to know more about The Unknown. What was The Unknown supposed to do/say?

11. Did any of the parents start shouting?

12. How did you not just piss yourself laughing at the the absurdity of the decorations (or lack thereof)?

    I would have taken one look at the green haired gal and a couple of bottles of lemonade and spent the rest of the day in tears!

13. Did any of the parents direct their anger at you?

14. I have nothing to ask except to say this was one of my favourite news stories of the year so far. It was such an extraordinary failure and I’m grateful for that. 

15. There’s been plenty of jokes online about a film/documentary/eight series dramatisation of what happened. Have any production companies been in touch to hear your story? Who would you like to see play you if it did happen?

16. Were staff working the event allowed to have a jellybean and quarter glass of Tesco lemonade on their breaks?

17. Were you told the backstory behind “The Unknown” being a rival chocolatier living in the walls or did you just make it up on the spot when you realised what was going on?

18. You mentioned that the script was AI gibberish. Can you tell us your favourite line? Anything particularly mental?

    Also, bonus question; were you planning to channel Gene Wilder Wonka or Johnny Depp Wonka?

19. Karen Gillan has said she’d love to appear in a film about this, were that film to ever be made, who would you cast as yourself?

20. Did Grandpa Joe plan this? Seems like his kinda scam the bastard.

21. This AMA has extraordinary potential.

    @Paul, which Willy Wonka did you take the most inspiration from in your own performance? (Wilder, Depp or Chalamet)

22. What’s it like being part of something that the entire internet seems to unite on?

23. Are you excited to be a question/guest on the next Big Fat Quiz of the Year?

24. Do you think you’d run faster if you had your arms surgically amputated, and obviously given time to adjust to running armless again.

25. Are you allowed to post the script you were asked to use? I understand – I think – you said it was AI gibberish about an evil man in the walls, but I’d sure love to see it!

26. Do you think it was a scam or a well-intentioned failure? Was the organiser out of his depth or trying to intentionally rob people of the entry fee?

27. In your view, was The Unknown:

    – An evil entity that made chocolate
    – An entity that made evil chocolate
    – Something else

28. A like how your using this experience to create a following and possibly gain something profitable from
    This absolute shambles of an ordeal 😂😂 they defo fucked you over in every way possible

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